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The old vines are they always old ?
by iDealwine
21 March 2014 at 16h50 pm
You might one day bought a wine whose label was marked “Vieilles Vignes”. But the fact, at what age do we begin to be old when you're a vine ?
A vine, finally, it can be considered as a human being. When it is very young, between 4 and 8 years, it is full of the charm of childhood and the wines it produces are usually mild and full of freshness. Between 8 and 14 years she made her teenage crisis : it grows in all directions with a force difficult to master. The art of the winemaker is to frame to prevent it from happening too weaklings grapes and without personality. Then the vine enters its maturity, she becomes an adult. I vieillissant, its roots are deeper in the soil the nutrients it needs, it produces fruit concentrates, rich aromas, balanced in their potential acidity and sugar (I give alcohol). Reinforced by the natural decline in yields an aging effect vine (which explains why some winemakers obsessed with high yields quickly sacrifice their “old” vines on the altar of profitability). All these qualities will be more noticeable than these vines have been grown healthily, without chemicals !
It is therefore legitimate to claim a winemaker for some of its wines mention “Vieilles Vignes” because it is a real quality symbol. The tricky, mention is that this is anything but a label or a protected term. And it is clear that some are abusing a little …
Reality, is that the age of a vine owns a share of relativity. And like any human being, there are aging faster or slower … To complicate matters, it also depends on the grape varieties and wine regions.
With “Vieilles Vignes” on a label, some producers may mean that it is simply the oldest vines (or so young …) their area. A recent field can thus be considered as the first plot he planted, there 25 years, should be well distinguished. What will smile a producer of Chateauneuf-du-Pape where the vines over 60 vintages 80 years (and even old) are very common in most areas. So, Grenache often give pretty grandmothers in their vineyards while Gamay produces considerably less old … It's genetic, it can not be helped !
But how a vine treated also affects longevity. And a vine which every year requires large returns will tire faster than who is asked a reasonable load. A vine harvested by machine (strongly shaken each year) is “Ridera” also faster than is harvested by hand.
When you shop, when you are facing the winemaker, so do not hesitate to ask the age of the vines when there is a mention “Vieilles Vignes” on the label of the wine you want to buy. And consider that, all regions, a vine under 25 years can not reasonably be considered “old”. Between 30 and 40 years can be mentioned without it being offensive. Beyond 40 vintages 50 years, finally enters the world of “real” old vines and qualities arising !
Mvg. Guill
