Asynchrony of Ripening: Several Axes, One Moment

The standard

A documented ripening divergence records how far the ripening axes differ from one another at the time of harvest, instead of averaging them into a single impression. Without this record, the trade-off disappears behind a single, averaged ripeness statement.

Criteria

• Sugar content, phenolic ripeness and aroma precursors are recorded separately
• The gap between the axes is named, not evened out
• The record applies to the individual vintage, not a variety rule
• A small divergence is recorded just as a large one is

Distinction

Asynchrony of ripening ≠ phenolic ripeness: this describes the state of a single axis, a documented ripening divergence the relationship between several axes. Asynchrony of ripening ≠ drinking maturity: this concerns the finished wine, the ripening axes the grape before harvest.