Véraison
Intermediate Winemaking & Viticultureveh-RAY-zohn
Definition
The onset of grape ripening when berries change color.
In Depth
The most dramatic moment in the vineyard calendar. Red grapes turn from green to purple; white grapes become translucent gold. Véraison marks the beginning of sugar accumulation and acid decline. It occurs 30-70 days before harvest, depending on variety and climate. Uneven véraison within a cluster can lead to green harvest decisions.
Details
- Category
- Winemaking & Viticulture
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Pronunciation
- veh-RAY-zohn