This photo of Delicata Sangiovese grapes is a good example of red grapes in the initial phase of veraison.This photo of Delicata Sangiovese grapes is a good example of red grapes in the initial phase of veraison.

Maltese and Gozitan grapes are entering their final stage of ripening, and it’s ‘all change’ as their true colours develop.

Often referred to as ‘veraison’, which normally takes place some 40 to 50 days after fruit sets, one of the first red varieties to go through this colour change stage here on the Maltese islands is the Sangiovese variety. Approximately 10 days later, bigger, later ripening reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah will go through the same changes.

Basically, veraison happens when the young, immature grapes – which at this time of year have a very dark green colour and have somewhat hard texture – will start to take on their natural colour change due to the chlorophyll in the berry skin being replaced by anthocyanins (or carotenoids in white grape varieties).

The berries will also start to soften and begin to accumulate glucose and fructose. The natural sugars and the volume will then start to increase and the acidity levels will start to fall, usually within six days from the start of veraison.

The onset of veraison does not occur uniformly among all berries, even within the same bunch

The onset of veraison does not occur uniformly among all berries, even within the same bunch. Typically, the berries and clusters that are most exposed to warmth, that is the berries that are on the outer extents of the leaf canopy, undergo veraison first, whereas the berries and clusters closer to the trunk and under the canopy shade will go through the process last.

In red grapes, the colour will change from green to red, and the depth and exact colour of the red will depend on the variety itself. For example, grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot will be almost black, whereas grapes such as Pinot Noir, Grenache and Sangiovese will be lighter and redder in comparison. In white grapes, the colour will change from a dark green to a yellowish-green colour (again depending on the variety) and the skins will become more transparent.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.