Contrary to what one might imagine, the winter period in the countryside is not at all a period of stalling and inactivity, waiting for the return of spring. In fact, it is during the winter that vine pruning lays the foundations for a good harvest and for the production of a good vintage Tuscan wine.
During the first months of the year, Alba and Adriano take care directly of pruning, a phase of fundamental importance to give life to a wine of excellence. The pruning of the vine, in fact, has a great impact on the quality of the grapes harvested and its transformation because
prepares and guides the plant in its spring rebirth.
When we speak of pruning vines we refer to two different periods for two different pruning techniques: dry pruning and green pruning which take place, respectively, during the winter and summer periods. Here at Poggio Molina, winter pruning was completed a few days ago and, as is tradition, begins in the first half of January and ends in early March at the latest. It is necessary, in fact, that the vine has no leaves attached and that it has concentrated its nutrients inside to the maximum. Pruning is carried out using strictly manual methods: we are convinced, in fact, that no machine can yet replace the experience and acuity of the human eye in identifying and selecting the load of buds to leave on the plant. It is through the phase of dry pruning that we go to maintain the set form of cultivation of the vineyard, going to act further on the load of buds left on the plant. Controlling the load of buds, in fact, affects the quality and quantity of the harvest. Already at this stage the producer decides whether to set the life of the plant in order to produce great quantity or great quality. Here at Poggio Molina, opting for the second option, only four horns per plant are left with the crown plus one fruiting bud, a quantity that will allow the vine to develop few shoots and, consequently, few fruits that will be brought to full maturity and with a higher sugar content.
So even the coldest time of the year, when the days are grey and the countryside seems to be asleep, becomes one of great vitality. A sort of gestation in which the vineyards, thanks to the expert hands of the producer, lay the foundations for the lush rebirth of spring and the production of a great Tuscan wine!
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