The grape harvest season has finally arrived in our beautiful French wine regions. A significant time as it is the result of the winemaker’s entire year of work. A moment of conviviality, the grape harvest represents a true part of French culture. Let’s discover everything about this harvest together.
What is the grape harvest?
The name "vendanges" comes from the term vendémiaire, which is the name of the first month of the Republican calendar lasting from September 22 to October 21. It refers to the grape harvest period, which in France generally takes place between September and October. The grape harvest refers to the picking of grapes intended for wine production. The term "vendanges" is used in the plural to generally designate the period during which the operation takes place. The harvest period varies depending on the region and climate. It can occur between late July and mid-October. However, it primarily corresponds to the time when the grape has reached its level of maturity—that is, when the balance between sugar and acidity has reached its optimal stability.
The different methods
There are two types of grape harvests: manual and mechanical. The choice of harvesting method depends on the desired quality of the wines, costs, and the values the estate wishes to uphold or highlight.
Manual harvesting is often used in the production of higher-quality wines or sparkling wines like Champagne, where the selection of grape clusters is more rigorous. It is also widely used in organic, biodynamic, and natural wines as it aligns with the expectations and philosophy of the winemakers. Finally, this harvesting method is also practiced in vineyards where machines cannot harvest—for example, when the terrain is unsuitable or the vine rows are too narrow. Manual harvesting has a higher production cost because it requires a large workforce. Indeed, it requires pickers or cutters. Using pruning shears, they cut and place the grape clusters into buckets, small crates, or wicker baskets. Then, the clusters are placed in a basket or crate that a carrier moves to the edge of the plot. During manual harvesting, sorting is done simultaneously with picking the grapes.
Mechanical harvesting is more economical. It is carried out by tractors designed to straddle one or two rows of vines, called straddle harvesters. Straddle harvesters do not allow sorting of grape clusters. Thus, after harvesting, winemakers place the clusters on sorting tables before sending them to the press.
Customs
In France, the grape harvest season is a deeply rooted festive tradition in wine regions as it is the most significant step in winemaking. It marks the end of vineyard work (viticulture) and the beginning of work in the cellar (vinification). Each region has its own way of properly celebrating the end of this process. In Champagne, particularly in the Marne region, the end-of-harvest celebration is called Cochelet. The Cochelet tradition comes from an old end-of-harvest custom dating back to the Middle Ages. For the occasion, a rooster was brought to the meal and given wine to drink. The then-drunk animal was released amid the laughter of the guests. At the time, the cochelet referred to the church steeple’s rooster.
Although the rooster has disappeared, the tradition of gathering around a festive meal remains. In Burgundy, several traditions coexist. The best known is the Paulée. The Paulée is a traditional meal where everyone brings their best wine. The famous Paulée of Meursault, which closes "Les Trois Glorieuses" (a major Burgundy celebration held at Clos de Vougeot, Beaune during the Hospices sale, then in Meursault), is traditionally celebrated every third weekend of November. The name Paulée comes from the dialect word paule meaning shovel, referring to the last shovel of grapes poured into the press. In the Mâconnais and Beaujolais, the celebrations are called R'voule. The program includes a meal based on meat in sauce and waffles for dessert! Finally, in the Bordeaux region, the traditional celebration is the Gerbaude. The celebration’s name comes from the word "gerbe," meaning a bundle of stalks covered with flowers placed on the very last cart of the harvest.
Incredibly early 2020 grape harvests!
This year, 2020, the grape harvests are breaking all records for earliness! Indeed, it has been over 40 years since the harvests occurred so early. The reason? Exceptional sunshine and record heat throughout the first half of this year. The year 2020 promises to be an exceptional vintage. Special mention to Domaine Fichet, the first estate with which Domaine du Goût collaborated for its box, which was the first estate to start the harvest season this year on Wednesday, August 12, 2020.
While waiting for the end of the harvest
If you can’t wait for the end of the harvest to celebrate with good wine, don’t hesitate to discover the wines in our shop.
Want to discover new wines? Subscribe to our box, and receive each month three wines from three different regions. Taste them, and receive three bottles of your favorite wine.
