Oldest vine and what they mean for the grape Part 2 of 2

Continuing on from the last blog. The age of the vine has varying different effects on the grape and in turn the wine. For e.g. you are able to harvest old vines sooner as the tannins ripen sooner, though the yields of an old vine are low, compared to younger vines.

Old vines produce a steady grape. Young vines can produce a grape that is high in sugar and juice/water content, making a cordial like wine. Old vines can produce a grape that evenly distributes these attributes. Lastly an old vine has deeper roots, as a starting point the vines root can go down to 6 metres (20 feet) and laterally 9 metres (32 feet) and further still with ancient vines.

Deep roots benefit the grape as the vines can search for water deeper down in the soil during drought, while young vines struggle. When there is too much rain, the older roots don't soak up that much water whereas the younger vine will take in all this water and produce a very juicy grape.

Of course, all of this has an effect on the wine, so in saying all of this, get to know your regions, how old their vines are, keep an eye out on the vineyards weather and how their wine is made.

Does all this make a difference to the wine? Yes and No!
Yes, because old vines provide balance and No, because it depends on what the wine maker does with the juice to develop a great old vine wine.

Peace,

Cristian Sepulveda