These conditions produced an intense vegetative period early on in the season, leading to the formation of long, thin bunches. Consequently, flowering - the phenological phase which is more representative than any other of the length of the cultivation cycle - was very early (before mid-May), affecting the course of the vegetative season as a result, though it gradually extended to end up fairly within the norm. Indeed, the subsequent phenological phases were delayed until their normal timescale by a cool, rainy period during setting. This was followed by a fairly wet June, and then dry conditions from July onwards, combined with very high temperatures at certain times during the summer months, with the customary hot air arriving from Africa contributing to the evapotranspiration of the leaves.

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