Planting a new vine represents a commitment of several decades for winegrowers. The technical, qualitative and economic stakes require a great deal of foresight and a soil study that takes stock of everything from its physical-chemical composition to the location, altitude, slope, concavity, exposure, structure, texture and humidity level!

Species Selection


Copyright BNIC /Marion Dubier Clark

Species selection is critical before planting, and especially the rootstock that must be adapted to the given agronomic characteristics. The stakes are high because the rootstock is what enables the vine to resist drought and to cope with excess iron or limestone.

The most widespread grape variety is unmistakably ugni blanc, accounting for 98% of Charente vineyards, but some winegrowers choose to keep older varieties with different aromatic or production characteristics, such as folle blanche, montils or colombard.


Complementarities


Copyright BNIC / Aurelien Terrade

Discussion is of primordial importance between the grower and the nurseryman who also provides advice on the preparation and fertilization of soils—for example, a rest of several years may be recommended or even crop rotation to ensure the disappearance of nematodes, worms that are a vector of grapevine fanleaf virus, a vine disease.

Once the plot is studied and prepared and the type of plant selected, it takes another eighteen months to deliver the order. The nurseryman will then assist his client by monitoring root development and providing protection against diseases. Plot after plot, the relationship between the nurseryman and the winemaker calls for total dedication!