Mid-February, the start of pruning the vines

In this month of February, why prune the vines?

Our vine plants need time to let the sap go down into the vine stock. We call this stage “storage” which starts in October until December. It allows the vine to accumulate the energy it will need for its next cycle.

Every winter, from mid-February, we begin to prune our vines. This important step makes it possible to define the load and the spread of vegetation for the coming season. It also allows good fruiting of the grapes harvested by hand. Reasoned pruning of the vines helps to obtain the sanitary condition essential for a quality harvest.

Pruning regulates production and improves the quality of the grapes by concentrating the sugars on a reduced number of bunches. This sustainable management of the vineyard makes it possible to extend the life of our plantations.

How do we prune our vines?

To start, we select the main branches to keep, it is on these branches that the branches will grow that will support the future grapes. Generally only the buds from the previous year's woods are able to bear fruit. We select them with the greatest care.

Several pruning methods exist, for example: goblet pruning, Guyot pruning, Royat cord pruning, trellis pruning, etc.

However, regarding champagne, the regulations are very strict and only allow 4 kinds of sizes:

• Guyot
• Chablis
• Cordon de Royat

For more information, click here.

February, also an opportunity to prepare our bottles

We also take our time in the cellar, in particular to carry out the disgorging of the bottles which will be marketed during the year. In fact, for the marriage between the wine and the liqueur to be harmonious, it is necessary to carry out this step at least 4 months before consuming the Champagne.

Our selection of bottles