The first de-budding can be carried out in the second year following planting. The removal of the suckers limits any unnecessary plant development and thus any useless expenditure of energy for its formation. Only two or three shoots are kept for the pruning and training of the future vine.
Young vine plots
The advisable course of action is bunch removal over the first couple of years to encourage the vine to store its resources for winter without overexhausting itself.
Formative pruning can be carried out during winter generally during the vine’s third year. The shoot that will form the trunk is cut in line with the trunk wire and is then tied or rolled to the wire (20-30 cm). This favours vertical trunk growth in the row and facilitates the movements of vineyard machinery. This same shoot is then de-budded at its base whereas the buds higher up are kept. Depending on the chosen pruning type, these buds will form the training arm or arms of the future trunk.