Cuz

This is my cousin, Claude, the vintner I spoke about in an earlier blip, in the middle of his vines.

He has switched about 2ha of vines to organic style. I saw them last year, right after harvest and had a chance to check them out again today just as the growing season starts. The vines are already cleaned, pruned and ready for the coming season. Small buds are starting to emerge.

Some things I've learned:
- every other row between the vines is plowed and the other row is left to grow grass and wild flowers. This ensures that there is some "competition" for water (from the grass/flowers) for the vines, which makes them strong, without overpowering them.

- only one branch of a vine is selected for growing each year (if the vine is 10 or so years old and looks solid enough, then two branches can be selected). This ensures that grapes grow full and strong, and that ultimately makes for a tastier wine.

- it takes a new vine about four years to grow to the point where it can produce viable grapes for wine. During that time, it still needs the same care as its grown-up brethren.

- the reason for planting rose bushes at the end of a row of vines is to serve as an 'early detection system.' There is a kind of devastating parasite which kills vines but attacks roses first. And here I thought it was just to make things look pretty...

- parasites thrive in humididty. When the weather people announce rain, then it's time to preventatively treat the organic vines (non-organic vines can be treated chemically after the rain).

- from the time the growing season starts (now) until the harvesting is done (sometimes in late September), you cannot leave the vines unattended for more than a week at a time. For organically grown vines, most of the work must still be done by hand. Demanding little buggers...

Clearly, my cousin and his wife (who just so happens to be one of my best friends) are passionate about that craft. I could listen to them talk about this forever. Someday I must make sure I get there during harvesting time :)