Millerandage is a grapevine condition in which a bunch develops berries of uneven size, often with a mixture of normal berries and very small, seedless or poorly developed berries. The appearance is sometimes described as “hens and chicks.” Millerandage usually results from incomplete fertilisation or uneven berry development during flowering and fruit set.
Cool, wet or otherwise unfavourable weather during flowering can interfere with pollination and fertilisation. Nutritional imbalances, vine vigour, variety characteristics and other environmental stresses may also contribute. The result is a bunch with berries at different stages of development and varying sizes.
Millerandage generally reduces the weight of the crop because some berries remain small or fail to develop normally. It can create uneven ripening within a bunch, complicating harvest decisions. Small berries may have a higher skin-to-juice ratio, but millerandage does not automatically improve concentration or wine quality.
Example: Chardonnay in Burgundy may show millerandage after cool or wet flowering conditions, producing bunches with both normal berries and much smaller berries.
Millerandage results in berries of uneven size within a bunch. Coulure is the loss of flowers or young berries after poor flowering or fruit-set conditions, leaving fewer berries on the bunch. Both can reduce yield but affect bunch development differently.
Chef’s note: millerandage is a vineyard condition, not a winemaking technique. Its impact depends on the severity, grape variety and how the crop is managed and sorted.
This term is one of hundreds covered in depth across OCS courses, learning paths, and 1-on-1 coaching with Chef Eric.
