Old Vines?

What are old vines?  I have seen “Old Vines” proudly displayed on wine labels, but how old is old?  It seems no one knows.  A lot depends on the winemaker’s definition.  In the U.S., there is no legal definition.  The vines can be 5 years old and still be called old vines.

It would appear that winemakers start calling vines old at about the 30 year mark, but often the term “Old Vines” applies to 100 or more year old vines.  What a range of years!  In general though, 40 -50 years seems to be the most often used dates by reputable winemakers.
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So what is the big deal and why bother with the term?  What does old bring to the juice?  It is believed that old vines have two main advantages:  The first being the roots have had time to grow deeper, allowing them to find more water.  Secondly, they produce fewer berries which increases the concentration of the juice.  I believe both of these advantages can contribute to a better wine.  They are just a couple of the many factors that help make a good wine.  Climate, soil, which varietal, and the winemaker all play a part in a quality wine. 

When looking for “Old Vines” you will probably see the term on Zinfandel wines, but also, it is not uncommon to see them on some Rhone blends from France.  Most good wineries are putting the age of the vines on the back of the label. 

Personally, I believe old can be better than young.

Cheers,
Hoosier Wine Guy