Snow extends beneficial effects on the vineyard

Kaarlo Nelimarkka, 76, has a vineyard in the middle of Finland, just 400 kilometers from the polar circle. Surely it is the northernmost vineyard in Europe. And in the world. It goes without saying that Kaarlo's is an authentic passion. During many months of the year he takes care of his vineyard almost in the dark and at temperatures that can go down to 30 below zero. That is heroic viticulture.

The long Finnish winter extends a white blanket that even gets to damage the eyes, but Kaarlo loves snow: "it has insulating properties and in the end, it is the only really effective method to prevent vine shots from freezing". Paradoxically, what he fears the most is the sun. In spring the sunrays are already very powerful and accelerate the growth of the buds at a time when the ground is still frozen.

The extreme example of this almost arctic vineyard takes us to talk about the snow in the vineyards of our latitudes. And of its beneficial effects. We end 2017 with some snowfall that has been warmly welcome: snow has a good reputation among those of us who are dedicated to vinegrowing. Why is that?

Of course, the first reason is that snow supposes a remarkable increase of the hydric reserves with which the vines will count. When melting progressively, as in a long sequence of slow motion, the snow is used in a high percentage, taking into account that with low temperatures the evaporation is very low. The water penetrates the soil and hydrates all its layers. For new plantations, it will be essential to have such a well-nurtured land.

Another positive consequence of snow is observed in the health of the vineyard and the plants. The snow disinfects the soil and ends with the insects that parasitize the bark and trunks of the plant and which, in spring, eat the most tender blots.

The snow also helps to regularize the natural cycle of the vineyard. In a scenario of gradual increase in average temperatures, snow has an important role to "freeze" the cycle of the vine. The plants thus enter the period of normal rest they need to restart their development when temperatures arise between March and April.

Snow is beneficial and it is quite aesthetic: look how good our large Yerga estate looked after December 1, 2017 snowfall. It was not abundant but very well received. We come from a long period of drought and any precipitation is more than good. We hope that the new year 2018 will bring us more.

 

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