Wine growers Working in a vineyard Tying and bending
The tasks of the last days of winter.
The tying is done by attaching the vine to the main support, particularly when the vine is still young and frail. Different materials for tying are used ranging from a length of supple twig or wicker to a thin rubber tube - reminding us of the ‘scoubidous' of our childhood - or a stretchy type of woven material.
The bending is done by bending and tying the twig - also know as baguette - to the main support, either following the support horizontally or by forming an arch and passing over another cord about 15 to 20 cms above. Here again, the materials used differ; the twig or wicker of former times is used less and less frequently because the technique is long and difficult. The different types of pliers and machines for bending the twigs are as numerous as the ties used, be they tiny threads of metal which dilapidate at the end of a season, plastic strips stapled together, bio-degradable attachments (similar to those used for freezer bags) etc.
Certain types of vines bend easily disregarding the amount of humidity in the air but others - particularly the vines of white grapes - are fragile and ‘break in fright' so rainy or foggy days in March are chosen to accomplish this task as the humidity in the air softens the wood and makes it easier to handle.