However because of this years wet, windy and cool weather (at least up to now) it is the Brant that is being covered - a role reversal if ever there was one.
The next three weeks are the most critical time of the year when we hope for warm sunny weather as the vines come into flower because grapes generally will not set fruit in wet, cold weather. When they do manage to set some fruit the resultant bunch is usually poor meaning a reduced yield.
While Brant is a variety that is rather late to ripen it is usually the first of the varieties I grow to begin flowering so in an attempt to keep the flowers dry and raise the temperature around the inflorescences I have covered the plant with bubble plastic, hoping to increase the chance of a decent fruit set.
And these Brant flowers are looking good in their sheltered environment.
This is the first year I've done this. only because of the bad weather. I don't want a repeat of the hopeless 2007 washout season.
In many ways it's a shame the Brant is being taken out at the end of the year to make way for Dornfelder.
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