Trimming at Champagne Aspasie

With the arrival of summer, the vines begin to fully blossom. At Champagne Aspasie, this period is marked by an important stage in the vine cycle: pruning. Let’s discover together this essential viticultural practice which prepares our vines to produce exceptional grapes.

What is trimming?

Trimming is a viticultural technique consisting of pruning the ends of the vine branches. This operation, which begins at the end of June and beginning of July, continues until the harvest. Unlike winter pruning which shapes the structure of the vine for the following year, pruning is a summer intervention aimed at controlling excessive vegetation growth.

Why is trimming so important?

Trimming plays an essential role for several reasons:

• Vegetation control: By limiting the growth of leaves and shoots, pruning allows the vine’s resources to be concentrated on the fruit. Less vegetation means more nutrients for the grapes, which is essential for producing high quality bunches.
• Improved aeration and light: A vine that is too leafy can create a disease-prone environment by preventing proper air circulation and reducing the grapes’ exposure to sunlight. Pruning helps maintain a healthy, sturdy vine.
• Facilitating treatments and harvests: A well-trimmed vine is easier to treat against pests and diseases, and it also simplifies the work of the pickers by making the bunches more accessible.

Trimming at Champagne Aspasie

At Champagne Aspasie, we approach trimming with meticulous care. We often speak of “trimming” in the plural, because this operation is carried out in several passes. A minimum of two passes is necessary, but it may take up to four depending on climatic conditions and the vigor of the vines. Each pass is an opportunity to refine the work and ensure that our vines remain in perfect condition throughout the summer.

A balance between tradition and modernity

We combine winemaking traditions passed down for generations with modern techniques to optimize each stage of vine cultivation. Trimming is a perfect example. This traditional method, essential to viticulture, is carried out with modern tools and practices to guarantee the best possible development of our precious vines.