Definition: Tierçage

This is the third traditional method of vine cultivation, after April's fousserage and June's hoeing. Tierçage takes place at the height of summer in July and August, and is particularly necessary if humidity has encouraged grass to grow back. Winegrowers used a small triangular pickaxe to weed around the base of the vines and a scraper for the middle of the row. All of these cultivation methods are now carried out using a claw plough.