Summer work has started but so has summer fun
We have had quite a slow start to our growing season this year, with colder than normal weather meaning our bud burst was late and we only started to see the first blooms appear on the vines in early June.
However, we have had some warmer weather and some sunshine since then, and our vines now are growing well. We will be starting the first steps in cane selection soon, which will entail removing shoots that grow in the wrong direction from the crown (the bulbous top of the vine). We do not want canes getting caught in the tractor as it moves up and down the rows. Our final cane selection will not happen just yet, as we need spare canes in case of disease or damage.
It is always important to look ahead, not just in case of disease, but also to ensure that the vines are in optimal condition in future years. The canopy should be maintained at 1.2 metres high, so we look at the crown and start to select canes that will ensure that the canopy does not get too tall.
Although at the start of July we have sometimes started to bring up the tucking in wires, our slow growth this year means that it will probably be a few weeks before we need to do this. The vines are trained to grow along these wires, ensuring that they do not grow too tall and can benefit from maximum sun and air exposure. This is aided by canopy management. When the leaves start to grow in abundance, we prune some to allow air to flow through the canopy, but we need to also protect the fruit too. It is a careful balance.
We are running Vineyard Tours and Tastings throughout the summer. If you want to see the work we do in the vineyard, check out the dates of tours here and give us a call on 01285 850257 to secure your place.
Strawberries, sparkling wine and lawn tennis
July is also synonymous with the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, and nothing is more English than enjoying watching a match with strawberries and cream, and a glass of sparkling wine. If you are spectating at home, you can still enjoy your strawberries and cream, but why not serve them up with a glass of Bulari Sparkling White Wine? Made with a blend of Seyval Blanc and Pinot Noir grapes grown at the vineyard, our Bulari has mouth-watering juicy apple at the forefront, hints of grapefruit and lemon (sherbet) and a wonderfully well-rounded mouthfeel with a crisp, clean finish. As with all our wines, it is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
From chalk…
Schools are breaking up for the summer later this month and it is time to say a big thank you to all the teachers who have helped to guide and educate the children this year. If you are struggling to think of a gift, why not get them a Poulton Hill Gift Voucher that can be exchanged for any of our wines and spirits or one of our Tours and Tastings sessions? Check out our website for more details or pop in to see us at the Cellar Door to discuss your needs.
To cheese…
July 25th is new celebration for us: it is National Wine and Cheese Day! We love trying English cheeses with our wines. If you would like to learn what we found to pair with Poulton Hill wines, take a look at our blog on an English Cheese and Wine Tasting here.
