Domaine Bertagna

<h1>DOMAINE BERTAGNA</h1> <h2>news</h2> 01.10.09 Harvest 2009 - Domaine Bertagna After the rainy spells and the important hail storms which prevailed in July, August brought us summery temperatures together with signs of quality. In our Domaine, we started harvesting on September 11th under a very mild weather. The grapes were healthy and of good maturity. The tannins are silky due to the excellent maturing conditions and their concentrations are quite high. In our permanent search for quality, we proceeded to our usual sorting of the grapes both in the vineyards and in the winery. It was made easier this year thanks to the homogeneity of the grapes except for those damaged by hail, such as the Clos Saint Denis. 31.07.09 News from the vineyards - July 2009 Mi-June and early July, a few areas were hit by hail. In Chambolle-Musigny some branches were broken and impacts are to be seen on the remaining branches. Morey-Saint-Denis also suffered from some damages. In Clos Saint-Denis, 80% of the branches were cut off 20 to 24 inches high. The vine growth stopped for about three weeks, and then the flowering developed satisfactorily. At present, the vegetation is resuming its growth but many interventions will be needed for tying the branches to the wires. The most difficult part in not over. Due to the number of impacts on the remaining branches, normal pruning will not be possible next winter. Shorter pruning will certainly be necessary to allow new sound branches to sprout. 2010 crop might also be low in quantity. 06.04.09 Bottling of 2007 vintage In order to improve the quality of our wines, at Domaine Bertagna, we proceed to bottling during the last quarter of the moon (decreasing moon phase). This lunar calendar allows to enhance the qualities of the wine and to bring a more harmonious and ample structure on limpid hues. It is an important consideration for a better maturing of the wine. The bottling of the 2007 vintage is soon over. Globally, the wines are elegant with well-rounded tannins. These delicate wines have to be drunk after the 2006's but before the 2005’s. In the vineyard, the vegetation is growing … the early beginnings of a new vintage. 19.01.09 2008 vintage - continuation Last Winter was rather mild and sunny with low precipitations. Pruning ended late February. Spring was mild and rainy with few sunny spells. Budding-out happened end of April, beginning of May. Flowering started around June 15th and spread over some two weeks due to rainy and cold weather conditions. Late June, early July, we benefited again from nice weather. The vine grew quickly, reaching the stage of 2004. Unfortunately, as of July 10th, rain falls and storms interfered with the cultural works (ploughing, topping and trimming, treatments). These conditions prevailed part of Summer and the grape maturity was far from being satisfactory early September. 19.01.09 New viticultural orientation as of 2009 We have just started experimenting different viticultural methods for a deeper respect of our soils. According to seasonal traditions, our vines were hilled up last Autumn. The culture of the soil, after the harvest and before Winter, allowed to bury the vegetal cover and the natural compost, sometimes useful. Free from the frost effects and due to the aeration of the clay, the microbic life will wake up next Spring under excellent conditions. After two difficult vintages with bad weather during the vegetative growth of the vine, things look hopeful for 2009. Let's hope for good climatic conditions enabling us to pursue our development of a biological sanitary protection. 19.01.09 2008 vintage Last Winter was rather mild and sunny with low precipitations. Pruning ended late February. Spring was mild and rainy with few sunny spells. Budding-out happened end of April, beginning of May. Flowering started around June 15th and spread over some two weeks due to rainy and cold weather conditions. Late June, early July, we benefited again from nice weather. The vine grew quickly, reaching the stage of 2004. Unfortunately, as of July 10th, rain falls and storms interfered with the cultural works (ploughing, topping and trimming, treatments). These conditions prevailed part of Summer and the grape maturity was far from being satisfactory early September. 07.10.08 2008 harvest Grape-picking is just over. The cold and humid weather prevailing in Spring influenced the flowering, and the situation became worrying. At last, we were favoured by some sunny and dry weather combined with Northern wind which stopped the rot spots and increased the density on a slightly acid structure. 2008 is not an early vintage, but the dates of harvest are more in keeping with average years. We decided to start late September to allow the grapes to benefit as longer as possible from the sunshine. Due to a tremendous sorting out, the crop is by 30 to 40% lower than normal, but we are very pleased with the quality, which is most important. <a href="the_domaine.php">The Domaine</a> <a href="wine_making.php">Wine_Making</a> <a href="domaine_bertagna_across_four_seasons.php">Domaine Bertagna across four Seasons</a> <a href="wines_of_the_domaine.php">Wines of the Domaine</a> <a href="contact_us.php">Contatc Us</a> <a href="news.php">News</a> <a href="../pages-fr/index2.php">Version Française</a> <a href="../pages-de/index2.php">deutsche Version</a> <a href="http://www.vinium.com/">Creation Vinium Business & Design</a>