August in central Spain, 500-600 kilometres away from the coast is hot. At the height of summer temperatures go over 40 C. Vine leaves stop photosynthesis at about 35 C, i.e: it is important to get maximum exposure to the sun whilst keeping them well aired to optimise photosynthesis (better fruit!).
One of the jobs in the vineyard this time of year is ensuring that the vines are well ventilated to benefit from the breeze to cool them down. Good ventilation protects against fungal diseases like powdery mildew which thrive in damp/moist environments.
One of the jobs in the vineyard this time of year is ensuring that the vines are well ventilated to benefit from the breeze to cool them down. Good ventilation protects against fungal diseases like powdery mildew which thrive in damp/moist environments.
We took the opportunity to dig around the older vines. Many good reasons for this. Firstly is good for ventilation, most of the grapes hang on the bottom branches (see enclosed), good against fungal diseases and better quality of fruit.
It makes the vine roots dig deeper for water as we get rid of roots on the surface. This is important in dry parts of Spain where vines suffer "water stress" due to lack of water: it stops the fruits from ripening. Cutting the roots on the top layers of the soil gives an advantage to those roots digging deeper.
It makes the vine roots dig deeper for water as we get rid of roots on the surface. This is important in dry parts of Spain where vines suffer "water stress" due to lack of water: it stops the fruits from ripening. Cutting the roots on the top layers of the soil gives an advantage to those roots digging deeper.
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