See under old plants.
A term commonly used in German-speaking countries (French: vieux plants) for the mostly very old indigenous grape varieties that are cultivated primarily in the canton of Valais. Some originate from the Italian region of Valle d'Aosta, which lies across the border, and some are also cultivated there. The two areas form a cross-border geographical island with a common pool of grape varieties. Many of these varieties form individual groups with family ties that have developed over centuries. The sometimes very close genetic links are due to the geographical isolation in the middle of mountain ranges (Alps).
The term "old plant" is often equated with "autochthonous" and " landrace", and the three are also...
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