As a rule, vines that are at least 35 years old are considered "old". The age is used by producers for advertising purposes to emphasise special quality. This is indicated on the label by designations such as "old vines" or the French term "Vieilles vignes". Many French appellation regulations stipulate that no vines less than three years old may be used. Many important wine estates in France only use vines with a self-imposed minimum age for their Grand Vins. However, there is no generally applicable minimum age and the term is used in different ways. Often these are also ungrafted (ungrafted) vines.

Age and yield

After planting new vines, the maiden harvest or pressing of the maiden wine only takes place after three to five years at the earliest. The age of a vine has an effect on the quality of the wine; the catchphrase "the older, the better" is often heard. Normally, vigour and yield begin to decline steadily at around 20 years of age and a vine becomes uneconomical at around 50 years of age. In general, vineyards in Central Europe are rarely used for more than 25 to 30 years before they are replaced. Slowly, however, a certain trend reversal can be observed. More and more wineries are cultivating vines with an impressive age of 50, 60, 70 and in some cases even more than 100 years on smaller areas. The wines made from these vines are usually produced in small quantities.

Wine quality

Wines from these vines tend to be of better quality (but not in principle). One reason is the lower yield, but this should not be overestimated. Other factors also play a role, such as better, more intensive exposure (sunlight) due to the lower growth of foliage and fruit. The extensively branched root system of old vines also has a positive effect, although root activity declines with increasing age. Quality is the complex interplay of grape variety, location (terroir) and yield.

However, there is also the phenomenon that some vineyards produce the best quality wines in the first two to three years of yield. The reason for this is an optimal relationship between foliage and fruit. However, this is the exception and can also be achieved with older vines through appropriate foliage care.

OIV classification

In 2024, the OIV (Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin) presented a final classification for "old vines" based on the results of several projects involving the OIV member states. At the 22nd General Assembly of the OIV, the delegates adopted the resolution "OIV-VITI 703-2024 - Definition and recommendations of the OIV on old vines and old vineyards in the viticulture sector". There are two standard definitions.

An "old vine" must be a single plant (grapevine) that is officially documented to be at least 35 years old or older, regardless of other factors. In the case of grafted plants, the graft connection between rootstock and scion should have existed for at least 35 years. An "old vineyard" is a contiguous and legally demarcated block of vineyard land in which at least 85% of the vines fulfil these definitions. In Europe, the EU Commission is obliged to take the OIV's recommendations into account when developing new rules, so that this will take effect in future regulations and Rodengrubbing-up...