Millerandage

When spring weather conditions are cool and/or rainy during the flowering of the vine, the grape berries develop badly. On the same bunch, we observe very heterogeneous berry sizes and maturities.

The winegrower fears the consequences of millerandage: loss of harvest, and difficulty in vinifying these partially ripe grapes.

See also coulure.

The bunch of merlot on the left with “millerandage”.
You can notice a strong variation in the size and color of the berries.
Photo taken on August 17, 2010, 4 to 5 weeks before the harvest.