Veraison facts for kids
Veraison is a fancy word for when grapes start to ripen and change color. It's a super important time for grapes, especially those used to make juice or wine! Before veraison, grapes are small, hard, and green. They taste very sour. But once veraison begins, they start to get bigger, softer, and much sweeter. Red grapes turn red or purple, and white grapes become more golden or yellowish. This change means the grapes are getting ready to be picked!
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How Grapes Ripen and Change
Grape berries grow in two main stages. First, they grow quickly as cells divide and expand. Then, there's a short "lag phase" where growth slows down a bit. After this, veraison begins, and the grapes enter their second big growth spurt, focusing on ripening.
Acidity and Sweetness Changes
When veraison starts, a lot of cool things happen inside the grape. One big change is that the grapes become less sour. This is because a sour-tasting acid called malic acid starts to break down. Another acid, tartaric acid, becomes the main acid in the grape. Grapes also have a tiny bit of citric acid.
At the same time, the grapes start to get much sweeter! They fill up with natural sugars like glucose and fructose. These sugars come from the grape leaves, which make sugar through a process called photosynthesis. The more sunlight the leaves get, the more sugar they can send to the grapes.
Color and Smell Changes
As grapes ripen, their color changes. Green grapes turn yellow or golden. Red grapes change from green to red or purple. This happens because the green color (from chlorophyll) breaks down. In white grapes, new yellow colors called carotenoids are made. In red grapes, red and purple colors called anthocyanins appear.
The smell of the grapes also changes. They start to smell fruity and sweet, which makes them attractive to animals that might eat them and spread their seeds. The "green" or "grassy" smells that grapes have when they are young disappear as they ripen.
Scientists are still learning exactly what causes veraison to start. It's a bit of a mystery!
Fun Facts About Veraison
In the famous winemaking village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in France, they have a special medieval festival called "Fête de la Véraison." It's a big celebration of the grapes starting to ripen!
See also
In Spanish: Envero para niños
