The Chronological Classification of Grapevine Phenology

Abstract

This paper addresses the problem of defining and using terms like 'early', 'average', and 'late' as they are used when describing phases of grapevine development. One hundred fourteen cultivars have been compared over seven seasons and listed according to the time each attains budbreak, bloom, and maturity. Most of the vines studied demonstrate a striking consistency, relative to each other, in the onset of budbreak and bloom, but maturity is less predictable due to greater vine management variability. Associations between development phases of grapevines and various climatic indicators are discussed, and the prospect of matching cultivars to climates is raised.