Véraison is a fancy French word that simply means the grapes are beginning to change color. A more complete definition is that Véraison is the beginning of berry ripening when the berries become soft and take on the colors characteristic of their specific varieties.

What makes Véraison exciting? It means harvest is just around the corner, and the grapes are beginning to take on all of the wonderful characteristics that present themselves in the finished wine we enjoy so much. The aromas and flavors wine-lovers experience in a great glass of wine are starting to show themselves in the grapes.

Véraison is quite obvious in red grape varietals, changing from green to varying shades of purple. There is however, a more subtle change in white grapes from green to a golden hue.

Many Missouri wineries offer vineyard tours. Now is the perfect time to see where your wine comes from. It is a beautiful and exciting time in the vineyards of Missouri Wine Country.

Photographs showcase Norton grapes during veraison, courtesy of James Fashing.