What is Old Vines?
Grapevines of significant age (typically 35-50+ years) that produce concentrated, complex wines.
Understanding Old Vines
Old vines (vieilles vignes in French) are prized for producing smaller quantities of more concentrated, complex fruit. As vines age, their roots grow deeper, accessing more minerals and water sources, while yields naturally decrease. There's no legal definition of "old vine," but most consider vines 35-50+ years old to qualify. Some regions, like Barossa Valley, have vines over 150 years old. Old-vine wines often command premium prices.
Why It Matters
Old-vine wines offer concentration and complexity not found in young-vine wines. Looking for "Old Vine" or "Vieilles Vignes" on labels can indicate higher quality.
Examples
- 1Barossa Valley has pre-phylloxera vines from the 1840s
- 2California old-vine Zinfandel offers concentrated flavors
- 3Vieilles Vignes Burgundy often comes from top sites
Related Wine Terms
Quick Definition
"Grapevines of significant age (typically 35-50+ years) that produce concentrated, complex wines."
Explore More Wine Terms
Yield
The amount of grapes or wine produced per vineyard area, affecting concentration and quality.
ViticultureTerroir
The complete natural environment in which a wine is produced, including soil, climate, and topography.
ViticulturePhylloxera
A root-eating pest that devastated European vineyards in the 19th century.
ViticultureCanopy Management
Techniques for managing vine leaves and shoots to optimize grape ripening.
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