Cluster Density.

It isn't a huge revelation that grape bunches come in all shapes and sizes. From large well filled eating types to small tightly packed wine varieties.

These differences show up even before the flowers begin opening.

Here is Regent with long well spaced buds on the clusters. You just know these bunches will be loose, the grapes well spaced out.

Phoenix are much less loose but still not tightly packed.

Chardonnay form a pretty tight cluster but not so tight the individual grapes become deformed.

Brant clusters grow small tight bunches, the clusters reflect this.

Frosted Buds Regrowth.

When grapevine buds are frosted in the spring all is not completely lost. The bud is in fact a compound bud containing three potential shoots so if the main bud gets damaged, in this case by frost, secondary buds can break as replacements.


Here is a good example. A month ago this spur looked like it would die out but here regrowth will save the spur.

This variety is Regent and is generally not fruitful on the secondary buds so I would not expect grapes to form on this spur. Even if they did they would be so much later than the existing inflorescences that they would need to be removed to achieve an even crop.

Of course the spur is saved for potential bunches next year.

Summer Management Begins.

While not completely necessary I like vines trained against the fence to grow upright against it rather than sprawling everywhere. This makes it easier to get to the vines and also easier to ripen the grapes.

The shoots here are growing in all directions, one particular is growing away from the fence.

And here those shoots are tied up so they can grow only grow up right.

Any other unruly behaviour from them will be treated in the same manner.

White Prospect

Madeleine Angevine is my stalwart variety. It is tough, reliable and able to cope with anything the british climate can throw at it.

It usually starts slowly yet is always the first to ripen so come september I get to pick grapes that go to make excellent wine.

Here it is coming into growth.

The first flower clusters appearing.

So with Phoenix, Chardonnay and Madeleine Angevine sporting a full compliment of flower clusters it look like we will see a worthwhile crop from the whites this year.

Finally Some Promise.

After what seems an age waiting for the vines to overcome what has been a very slow start they are finally showing some promise. Now they have begun to grow in earnest they will really begin to put a sprint on in the next few weeks

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This Lakemont Vine is looking like it will make an excellent shoot this year.

Even the Merzling vine outside is looking good.

And the Phoenix vine has the first signs of flower clusters forming. This vine has the potential to carry a reasonable crop of grapes this year.

Slow Start.

April was the wettest month here for many years. It was also cooler than usual ,by around 5C, with some unwelcome night frosts.

This combination has led to the vines growing painfully slowly, at least compared to what we are used to. There is now a distinct possibility late ripening grapes like Chardonnay will not ripen in time in the autumn.

Look at how behind it's shoots are. There are signs of flower clusters but we need some warmer weather.
If the late start translate in a shortened growing season it will be interesting to see what varieties perform successfully and therefore which can be recommended for northern growing. Madeleine Angevine I expect to perform well for example.