Old vine, a common description on wine labels, indicates that a wine is the product of grape vines that are notably old. There is a general belief that older vines, when properly handled, will give a better wine. There is no legal or generally agreed definition for old.
Left and right, two older Riesling vines flank a thin-stemmed young vine in the Kirchenstück vineyard, Hochheim, Rheingau, Germany, illustrating the effect of age on the look of a vine.
An Alsatian Riesling with the words "Old Vines" designated on the label.
Vitis (grapevine) is a genus of 81 accepted species of vining plants in the flowering plant family Vitaceae. The genus consists of species predominantly from the Northern Hemisphere. It is economically important as the source of grapes, both for direct consumption of the fruit and for fermentation to produce wine. The study and cultivation of grapevines is called viticulture.
Vitis
Developing inflorescences of Vitis vinifera
Vitis coignetiae with autumn leaves
'Palatina', a Hungary grape