Harvesting: how does it work and why is it important?
The grape harvest: how does it happen and why is it important?
A pivotal moment in the viticultural year, the harvest marks the end of the vine cycle... and the beginning of the wine cycle. It's an intense, festive and strategic period: the quality of the grapes harvested largely determines the profile of the wine to come. But how exactly is the harvest carried out? And why do harvesting methods have such an influence on the final result? Take a behind-the-scenes look at this crucial stage in the wine-making process.
Why is harvesting so important?
Harvesting is much more than just picking: it requires precision, timing and observation. A grape picked too early will produce a wine that is too acidic; too late, it will lack freshness and structure.
The objective: harvest at optimum ripeness
- For dry white wines: freshness, acidity, delicate aromas → early harvest.
- For red wines: we wait for full phenolic maturity (skin, seeds, tannins) to guarantee richness and color.
- For sweet and syrupy wines: harvest when overripe or with botrytis (noble rot).
Key stages in the harvest
- Pre-harvest observation and analysis
- Measure sugar levels, acidity and tannin maturity.
- Berry tasting: the taste of the grapes is the best indicator.
- Set on a plot-by-plot basis according to grape variety, climate and desired wine style.
- Manual or mechanical (see below).
- Sometimes staggered, especially for late harvests or successive selections.
- To avoid oxidation, overheating or premature fermentation.
- Sometimes in crates, sometimes in refrigerated skips for delicate grapes.
Manual vs. mechanical harvesting: what are the differences?
Manual harvesting
- Grapes are picked by hand, bunch by bunch.
- Sorting possible directly in the vineyard or in the winery.
- Ideal for sloping plots, fragile grapes or selective harvesting.
Advantages:
- Respect for the grapes (less juice released).
- Precise selection, quality sorting.
- Preferred for high-end or biodynamic wines.
Disadvantages:
- Expensive, slow, labor-intensive.
Mechanical harvesting
- Use of a machine that shakes the vines to bring down the berries.
- Fast, efficient, economical.
Advantages:
- Ideal for large farms or flat areas.
- Allows harvesting at exact maturity over large areas.
Disadvantages:
- Less sorting in the vineyard.
- Risk of damaging berries and oxidizing juice.
The direct link between harvest and wine style
A fresh, light wine will often come from an early harvest; a structured, powerful or sweet wine will require more time. Mastering the timing and choosing the harvesting method are therefore strategic decisions that influence the rest of the winemaking process.
Conclusion
Harvesting is more than just a symbol of winemaking tradition: it embodies the winemaker's know-how, sensitivity and technical choices. The success of the harvest depends on how well it goes. For enthusiasts who keep their own bottles, it's also a pivotal period that reminds us of the importance of proper storage. And what could be better than a La Sommelière wine cellar to help these grapes mature into wine in conditions as controlled as their harvest?