🌿 Véraison
The moment grapes soften and turn from green to their own colour.
Véraison is the moment in ripening when grape berries soften and change from green to their final colour. Véraison (French) is the moment in a grape's life when berries begin to ripen. Before that they are hard, green and sour. Then the berries soften and change colour: in white varieties they turn yellowish or light green, in dark ones red and then purple.
In the Northern Hemisphere this is usually late summer, July to August. After that sugar builds up in the berry while acidity falls. The vine spends energy on the fruit rather than on leaf growth. Growers often remove extra bunches so the remaining ones ripen better.
Véraison is one point in the vine's yearly cycle and the start of ripening: after it comes the build-up of ripeness and then harvest. The time from véraison to harvest is usually 40–50 days, though it depends on variety and weather. The word comes from French. Growers note the start of véraison right in the vineyard, as it is the point from which they count the time to harvest.
Links
- Next step
- 🌿 Grape ripeness
- Part of
- 🌿 Annual growth cycle of grapevines
Frequently asked questions
What is véraison?
The moment when grape berries soften and change colour as ripening begins.
When does véraison happen?
In the Northern Hemisphere usually in July to August, depending on variety and weather.
What happens after véraison?
Sugar rises, acidity falls, and then harvest follows.