11.01.2023
After many days of long working hours, the 2022 vintage has now been transferred into barrels and has completed the malolactic fermentation phase. This marks a slightly calmer period at Château Le Pin Beausoleil. Igor Leclere has started pruning the vines during this cold time of year – the moment when the plants enter their well-deserved resting period after the hot summer. Temperatures hovered around freezing for several weeks before starting to rise again. The pruning will now last for several weeks. It is hard work, but it also offers moments of peace and reflection, during which the plants are carefully prepared for the next season.
Winter pruning is an intensive but extremely important task, as it determines how many buds remain on the vine for the next growth period and the subsequent harvest. As you can see, there is hardly a break when it comes to producing quality wine.
This time of year also provides us with the opportunity to prepare the 2021 vintage for its final phase. The wine is removed from the barrels and transferred into vats for its definitive maturation period. This phase also includes the composition of the final blend: the contents of the various barrels are collected in large vats. Before bottling, the wine rests for a few more months to further refine itself.
After emptying, the barrels are carefully cleaned with high-pressure hot water to be partially reused the following season. Second-year barrels are no longer used and are sold to other wine producers or repurposed for decorative purposes or whiskey aging.
"Because we produce beverages for human consumption, we must adhere to strict hygiene standards at every step of winemaking. That's why we are constantly cleaning," says Igor Leclere. From cleaning barrels and floors to preparing the next vintage and general maintenance – there is always something to do. Cleaning is not only essential for hygiene but also for keeping the cellar organized and keeping up with logistics and planning.
In essence, there is no true 'silent period' in viticulture. After the harvest, the pace slows down slightly, but the work and care for the wine remain constant.
In addition, the winter months offer us the opportunity to plan new projects, make important decisions, conduct research, and further deepen our knowledge. While the world seems to continue operating in crisis mode – from the COVID-19 pandemic to the war in Ukraine – the regular, forward-thinking work in the vineyard allows us to maintain a different, more long-term perspective: we create high-quality products that will be enjoyed years later, somewhere far away.