Spells of cold weather during the winter months, when the vines are dormant, are always welcome in the vineyard as they help to kill vine parasites such as microscopic roundworms known as nematodes.
Winter cold in the valley is also beneficial for another reason. At this time of year, the young wines made in September and October on Taylor’s own properties are still held in vat in the estates’ wineries. Cold conditions, which are often associated with high atmospheric pressure, encourage the young wines to fall bright.
In the winter months the hillsides can sometimes look barren but the dramatic sculptural property of the bare vines, like those of this old frost covered example on the upper slopes of Quinta de Vargellas, lend the vineyards an austere beauty.