Flowering is the stage of the grapevine growth cycle when small flowers emerge from the inflorescences and open, allowing pollination and fertilisation to occur. It usually takes place several weeks after budbreak, but the timing varies with climate, grape variety, site and vintage. Flowering is a critical period because weather conditions can strongly affect fruit set and the eventual crop.
Warm, dry and relatively calm weather generally favours successful flowering and fruit set. Cold, rain, high humidity or strong winds can interfere with pollen release and fertilisation. Poor conditions may lead to coulure, where flowers or young berries drop, or millerandage, where berries develop unevenly.
The success of flowering helps determine the number of berries that develop on each bunch. This influences potential yield, bunch compactness and the risk of certain diseases later in the season. Growers monitor flowering and fruit set to understand crop development and plan vineyard operations.
Example: if cool, wet weather occurs during flowering in Burgundy, some Pinot Noir or Chardonnay blocks may experience poor fruit set and lower yields.
Flowering is the opening of the vine’s flowers. Fruit set follows when fertilised flowers develop into berries. Véraison is the later stage when berries soften and begin to ripen and change colour.
Chef’s note: flowering is a short but important stage in the vineyard calendar. Weather at this time can influence crop size months before harvest.
This term is one of hundreds covered in depth across OCS courses, learning paths, and 1-on-1 coaching with Chef Eric.
