3.4 Les vendanges

Les vendanges

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Septembre 2025

lES VENDANGES

Once the grape berries have reached maturity, harvesting can begin. The harvesting method is an important factor that directly impacts the quality of the wine. There are two main methods : manual and mechanical.Let’s explore together the first steps that will lead to the winemaking process.

Vendanges manuelles et mécaniques

There are two main methods of grape harvesting: manual and mechanical. Manual harvesting is the traditional and oldest method. It involves hand-cutting and selecting grape clusters directly from the vine. With the rise of technology, mechanical harvesting has become increasingly popular due to its speed and efficiency.

Mechanical Harvesting

Manual Harvesting

L’impératif - Imperative form

L’impératif en anglais sert à : donner des ordres, donner des instructions, donner des conseils. C’est une forme directe utilisée très souvent dans le monde professionnel, en particulier dans les métiers manuels comme la viticulture et la vinification.

L’impératif se forme avec la base verbale seule infinitif sans « to ». Exemple : Harvest the grapes carefully / Récolte les raisins avec soin Sort the berries on the table / Trie les baies sur la table Remarque : Il n'y a pas de sujet devant le verbe : on sous-entend « you ».

Forme négative de l’impératif On utilise « Don’t » + base verbale. Exemples : Don’t crush the seeds! / Ne casse pas les pépins !Don’t forget to clean the machine / N’oublie pas de nettoyer la machine.

EXEMPLES IMPERATIF

Here are examples of imperative sentences related to cellar work and harvest

Imperative form

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Complete the sentences with the correct verb in the imperative form.

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IMPERATIVE Quiz

Find the mistake ! Which instruction is incorrect for a job well done?

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QUESTION 1/10

QUESTION 2/10

QUESTION 3/10

QUESTION 4/10

QUESTION 5/10

QUESTION 6/10

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Les vendanges

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Septembre 2025

Mechanical harvesters

• Mechanical harvesters shake the vines to dislodge the grapes, which are then collected by the machine.
• While this method is much faster and less expensive, it doesn't allow for the same level of precision as manual harvesting.
• As a result, grapes of lower quality might be picked, potentially affecting the wine's taste.
• However, advances in technology have significantly improved mechanical harvesting, making it a viable option for many wine styles.

Source : Wikipédia

Crushing

• Crushing involves breaking the skins of the grape berries to release the juice and initiate the fermentation process. In the past, this was often done by foot, in a traditional ceremony where harvesters would walk together in large vats filled with grapes.
• Today, the modern practice of crushing is largely mechanized to meet hygiene standards and current production volumes.

• Crushing directly influences the quantity and quality of compounds extracted from the grapes, such as sugars, acids, tannins, and aromas.
• These elements are essential for the wine’s structure, taste, and aroma, making crushing a key step in shaping the final product’s profile.

Sources : aude-oenologie.fr

Sorting

• Sorting is an essential step to remove damaged, rotten, or underripe berries, as well as unwanted plant materials such as leaves, unattached stems, and insects. This rigorous selection ensures that only healthy grapes at optimal ripeness contribute to the wine’s aromatic and flavor profile.
• Sorting can be done manually or with the help of advanced machines.

• Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, often determined by production volume, the intended wine style, and the winemaker’s preferences.
• Traditionally, sorting is done by hand. Workers carefully inspect and select each bunch, removing those that do not meet quality standards.

Sources : vignovin.com

This technique allows for careful selection of only the best grapes, excluding those that are damaged, underripe, or diseased. It is particularly valued for premium wines, where quality takes precedence over quantity. In some regions, manual harvesting is even mandatory, as machine harvesting is prohibited. As you might imagine, manual harvesting is slower and more expensive, requiring significant labor.

Crushing

• Crush the berries gently.
• Observe the juice extraction.
• Don’t break the seeds.
• Don’t overfill the tank.

Sources : aude-oenologie.fr

Harvest

• It is the moment when the grapes are considered to have reached their peak ripeness, ready to be transformed into wine. This period varies depending on the region, climate, grape variety, and above all, the winemaker’s goal in terms of wine style and quality.
• The decision to harvest requires expertise to balance the grape’s sugars, acids, and tannins—key elements that will shape the wine’s aromatic and taste profile. An important tool in determining when to begin harvest is the refractometer.

Sources : Idealwine

• This instrument measures the sugar concentration in grape juice, expressed in degrees Brix, which is a direct indicator of the fruit’s ripeness.
• The higher the Brix level, the sweeter the grape, which, after fermentation, will result in a wine with higher alcohol content.

Sources : tompress.com

Harvest

• Pick only the ripe clusters.
• Use clean tools.
• Don’t leave grapes in the sun.
• Don’t mix healthy and damaged grapes.

Sources : Idealwine

IMPERATIF

Harvest ! / Récolte !Don’t sort that ! / Ne trie pas ça ! Clean the tank ! / Nettoie la cuve ! Don’t crush the seeds ! / Ne casse pas les pépins !

Destemming

• Separate the stems from the grapes.
• Adjust the destemming machine.
• Don’t include too many stems.
• Don’t forget to check the settings.

Sources : sulfate.ch

Sorting

• Remove the rotten berries.
• Check each bunch carefully.
• Don’t keep unripe grapes.
• Don’t touch the machine while it’s running.

Sources : vignovin.com

Destemming

• Destemming is the process by which grape berries are separated from the stem (also called the rachis). The stem, a woody structure to which the berries are attached, is generally considered undesirable in the must (the fresh grape juice intended to be fermented into wine) due to its tannic compounds and its influence on the wine’s taste.
• Depending on the desired wine style, the more or less complete removal of stems can play a significant role in the final wine’s quality and character.

• Destemming has a direct impact on several aspects of the wine :

_ On the wine’s tannins, since stems contain tannins that can be astringent and bitter. _ On the wine’s aromas, as stems can impart vegetal or herbaceous notes—desirable in some wines, but not in others.

Sources : sulfate.ch