Pruning lesson

Vines make a lot of shoots. So frequently, however careful you were when pruning last year, there are tons of shoots that just have to go.

Our vines are old and this is a 35 year old Cinsault. As you can see in the photo on the left it has put out dozens of shoots which it can't hope to sustain during the coming year. So we reduce the number to no more than ten on a healthy vine, usually two on each of five 'arms'.

On the right you have the same vine after today's pruning. It takes a while to do, and most of the time is spent deciding which shoots to keep - the strongest, most upright and evenly placed. Nothing coming out from under a branch can stay otherwise it will break off when the fruit hangs heavy later in the season. No more than two on each branch otherwise it will produce more fruit than it can ripen, reducing the quality of the subsequent wine.

We've a way to go, and our backs ache after a long spell of pruning today, but I love the challenge of a tricky, over-productive vine. I like it looking healthy and tidy once my secateurs have done their work.