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This is a very special moment for us. It is that moment, when you walk through the vineyards first thing in the morning, when in addition to enjoying the unique landscape of our vineyards, you can see how the green that has accompanied the berries over the last few months begins to change colour, very slowly and berry by berry, as they stop synthesising chlorophyll to acquire the pigments characteristic of each grape variety; in the case of our vines, pinkish-reddish or golden tones.
Some of our vineyards are close to veraison, while others are already showing signs of colour change. This phase can vary depending on the growing conditions, the climate and the terroir. Nature, of course, is following its course.
The environment of Palacios Vinos de Finca comprises two regions: Rioja and Ribera del Duero, where we practice sustainable viticulture, with a vocation for wines linked to the origin and the territory. We have studied our plots in detail, in order to be able to apply a measured and precise agriculture, with the aim of obtaining the best grapes to make wines with soul, with meaning.
Knowing the land, as well as seeking a balance between plant, climate, soil and water, helps us to understand why the grapes that grow on our land express themselves differently.
We are aware of how climate change is affecting the vine cycle. That is why our estates are located at higher altitudes. It has been sad to hear how in other wineries, the high temperatures of the last week, with daily temperatures above 35ºC, with days reaching record highs and suffering a heat wave that seems to have no end, have burnt the berries of their vines that were just starting to veraison. Our vineyards at higher latitudes and, consequently, with slower ripening, suffer less from the climatic onslaught and benefit from the thermal contrast between day and night.
Hence the importance of knowing the soil, in order to know which plants are best suited to them, to understand their viticultural potential and to get an idea of what characteristics will be transmitted to the subsequent fruit. We leave nothing to intuition. Our results are the result of observation and careful analysis.
This explains, to a large extent, our constant concern to protect it and to make it the protagonist of our philosophy at Palacios Vinos de Finca. Natural conservation and sustainability are the fundamental foundations on which we base our daily work.
A different cycle for each grape variety
Veraison marks the end of the growth of the grape berry and the beginning of ripening, which will culminate with the harvest. This is the time when the skin becomes thinner and the grapes acquire nuances and accumulate aromas, sugars and phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids, which will be responsible for the colour of the wine. Specifically, anthocyanins in red varieties and carotenoids in white varieties.
The duration of this phase can last from 12 to 15 days. And, of course, it depends on each type of grape, which has a different cycle. Tempranillo, for example, is the first to veraison. On our estates we will continue to observe this change in colour in August.
Veraison marks the time. It is a key moment in the vine cycle. And from that moment on, the countdown to the harvest begins. A new stage in our unique winemaking project aimed at producing unique wines.
