Now that the annual grape harvest here in Ontario is pretty much over (grapes used for ice wine are still on the vine) I thought it would be a good idea to look back at the significant stages of grape growth during the season.
It begins during the winter and early spring, the vines are dormant. During this time there is no visible indication of growth.
Scale Crack – is the first sign of growth.
Early Bud Swell – the bud swells out of the hard outer bud scale. Tis is followed by Late Bud Swell where you can begin to see signs of green leaf growth.
Bud Burst – the bud splits open and the leaf is exposed to the sun.
First Bloom – The flowers begin to open.
Buckshot Berries – Small clusters of berries (grapes) begin to grow.
Green Grape – The berries continue to grow, They are green and hard.
Veraison – The grape berries soften and start to change colour as they start to ripen.
Fruit of the Vine – the berries are soft. They continue to ripen an change coloured as sugar content and berry size increase.
Harvest – The finish line of growth. The grapes are ripe, with a high enough sugar level to pick to begin the fermentation process.