Increase in the foliage area from 6000 m2 to 9500 m2 per ha : (vine density stays 4,500 vines/ha)

 

• Better evapo-transpiration of the foliage, which is the equivalent of a Grand Cru Classé planted with 10,000 vines/ha.

• The main part of the power from the plant is absorbed by the green instead of the grapes.

• Foliage hedge is thinner, so better aeration and optimization of the work of the leaves.

 

Increasing the storage capacity of the sugar in the old wood’s vines during winter :

 

• Better regularity of quality from one year to the next.

• Better percentage of high-quality part: 30% instead of 10 % with normal vineyards on the same soils.

 

Increasing the exposure of the grapes during maturation :

 

• The grapes are located at the bottom of the foliage hedge, better exposed to the sun rays, more able to fix the colored tannins for the reds, water évaporation is more reactive, less diseases, so much less chemicals than any normal vineyards.

• Brings better ripeness of the skins, tannins are finer and silkier, so no need to « over-extract » for making powerful wines, wines are more balanced, and aromas are more respected.

• The wines are naturally richer in Glycerol, which gives very smooth tannins and length.

 

Must harvest by hand « only » : (machines harvest 95% of the Bordeaux vineyards)

 

• Lyra vineyards cannot be harvested by machines, which allows for making a real selection during the hand-picking process.