Veraison: What Is That?

Veraison is a pivotal time in the vineyard.  It is when the grapes change color and rapidly begin to store sugar.  The time is notable, as it is a predictor of harvest.  The time for each varietal is variable, yet you can look forward to harvest some 40 to 60 days from veraison.

Veraison itself means “change of color of the grape berries.”  For red grapes, it is most obvious when the young green grapes become a red hue.  White grapes also change in appearance, they remain green yet become translucent or golden. It never happens all at once for a bunch as you will see in the pictures. (The vineyard in the photos is a cabernet vineyard.)  The grapes change color at varying times on the same bunch on the same vine.  

This time period denotes an evolution as the grapes themselves begin to become sweeter as sugar is being stored, acid falls, and the seeds are developing.  After veraison, the grapes continue to mature, soften and enlarge on the path to physiological maturity.    Physiological maturity is when the level of phenolic compounds in the grape, including tannins and other compounds that enhance the color, flavor, and aromas of the resulting wine, are optimum.  That is a key word as “optimum” is dependent on the style of the wine and the process of the winemaker.

Veraison may often herald a time for leaf trimming to ensure enough sunlight for the development of the grape’s richness and flavors.  Depending on the climate, vintners will trim back the leaves to allow for more exposure while ensuring that enough leaves are in place to shield the bunches from afternoon sun.  All this is along the path to putting a beautiful bottle of wine on your table.

Enjoy!