Illustrated Wine A-Z (Revised 2022)

Lots of geeky disagreement about the grapevine's annual cycle. This is MY Stage Two: débourrage, or budbreak. Favourite stage for an illustrator.

Stage One vines weep happy tears at Spring anew
And débourrage marks vineyard cycle Stage Two

Buds burst open in shades of pink and green
Viticulturist prays for a vintage supreme

Good grapes at harvest make winemaker's job easy
Problems at cycle stages make them feel queasy

True, climate has altered grapevine cycles and region
Easier now growing grapes Swedish and Norwegian

Overheated regions now struggle with their berries
Jealous how Jerez exploits heat to make its sherries