A wine grower always keeps an eye on the weather report. As we now enter the month of May, you would think that the risk of spring frost is over for the winegrowers in France. But the fact is that there is a slight risk of frost right into May. And that frost can be devastating because now the buds have started to grow. Specialists in climate and weather in Champagne have made a list of factors that increase the risk of being affected by spring frost. Here are some of them.
Vineyard location and topography: at the bottom of slopes, by hedges, walls, etc., air circulation may be limited, which increases the risk of frost.
Grape variety: some grape varieties are more sensitive than others. Chardonnay, for example, which buds earlier, is more sensitive than pinot noir.
Pruning date: the earlier you prune, the earlier the vine buds and the higher the risk of frost. So ideally, winter pruning should be done as late as possible.
High cover grass: In the absence of wind, the cold air can stagnate at the height of the grass. This can result in a couple of degrees colder air and more humidity, significantly increasing the risk of frost.
The height of the vine: Experiments in Champagne with more sparsely planted and thus higher vines show a lower risk of frost than more densely planted (and therefore lower) vines.
Read more: Mon-Viti
