Thursday June 26, 2025
How Dry Weather Shapes the Taste of Our Wines
As any winemaker will tell you, the weather is everything. And here on the island, this season’s dry, warm spell is proving to be a gift for our vines.
The flowering phase is well underway—an essential moment in the life of the vine—and thanks to the dry conditions, it’s progressing beautifully. Flowers are opening earlier and more evenly than usual, and the bunches forming look especially promising. We’re currently two to three weeks ahead of schedule, which means, all being well, we’ll be looking at an earlier harvest.
Why weather matters
An earlier harvest allows us to bring in the grapes at their peak before autumn’s unpredictability sets in. It also gives us more control over the delicate balance of acidity and sugar in the fruit, two elements that ultimately shape the style and structure of the wine. If the weather continues to hold, we’ll need minimal intervention in the winery, letting the quality of the fruit speak for itself.
Rain, while essential in the right measure, can be a double-edged sword. Excessive moisture at this time of year can cause grapes to swell too quickly, diluting flavours, reducing natural acidity, and compromising sugar levels. In contrast, controlled dry spells help concentrate flavours and create the potential for wines with greater complexity and character.
Of course, it’s not always simple. In extremely hot summers, grapes can ripen too rapidly, leading to higher alcohol levels and a risk of losing that all-important freshness. That’s why canopy management is key. At this stage of the season, we’re leaving the bunches shaded to protect them. Later, if the weather turns, we might strip back the leaves to encourage more light and airflow.
And then there’s the wildlife—crows and birds can quickly undo our hard work, so vineyard protection remains a daily task. But we’re committed to a sustainable, minimal-intervention approach. That means no harsh sprays—only nutrients when the vines need a little support.
Every tiny detail matters. From the timing of flowering to the number of sunshine hours, the climate plays an invisible but powerful hand in shaping the wine in your glass.
Over the past 28 years, we’ve watched the English and Channel Islands wine scene transform. From just 300–400 vineyards to over 1,200 across the UK, collectively producing around 8 million bottles a year—a quarter of which is now sparkling wine. A growing movement that’s not only better for the environment than importing from halfway around the world, but also delivering exceptional quality, rooted in our local terroir.
At La Mare, this season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. And with our continued focus on sustainable practices in both the vineyard and winery, we’re doing everything we can to let nature do the talking.
Curious about how we grow sustainably on our island home? Discover our sustainability story here ›