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Main bud formed the previous year, characteristic of the vine during the dormant period in winter. The bud is almost completely covered by two brownish protective scales.
Cotton Bud
Just after the sap rises. The bud swells and the scales separate; the brown, cottony protection is apparent (beginning of April).
Green tip
The bud continues to swell, becomes longer, and the young shoot appears.
Appearance of the leaves
The rudimentary leaves are gathered together in a rosette with the base protected by down which will progressively fall away.
Spreading of the leaves
The first completely formed leaves show the characteristics of the grape variety and the stems are clearly visible.
Bunches visible
Rudimentary bunches appear at the top of the shoot. 4 - 6 completely formed leaves.
Bunches separate
The bunches become longer and further apart on the shoot. The florets are still massed together.
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Flower buds separate
Appearance of the typical bunch-type inflorescence with each flower separate from the next.
Flowering
The photograph shows how the hood-like corolla has detached itself from the base and has been pushed up by the stamens. When the corolla falls off, the ovary is revealed, surrounded by the male organs (mid June).
Nouaison
The fertilized seed begins to swell. The stamens wither but often remain attached to the flower. The small berry will soon take on the typical shape of its particular grape variety.
