What does "Old Vine" on a wine label really promise? Is “Old Vine Zinfandel” truly better, or is it just marketing? In this wine stories episode of Everyday Sommelier, host Kristi Mayfield uncorks the truth about old vine wine, decoding industry buzzwords and cutting through the confusion surrounding one of wine’s most romantic—yet undefined—labels.
Explore why “Old Vine” isn’t a globally or legally defined term, and how this creates frustration for everyday wine lovers, like you, just trying to sip smarter. Kristi reveals the real impact of vine age on wine quality, aroma, and price, and explains how different wine regions—from California to Spain and Australia—are starting to regulate the term to protect heritage vineyards.
Learn how “Old Vine” wines are farmed, the dangers they face, and why you may be paying more for a label rather than superior flavor. You'll gain expert strategies and sommelier tips for decoding everyday wine labels, understanding heritage, and making confident wine choices in a world full of misleading terminology.
BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
- The truth about "Old Vine"—why it’s often just a marketing term and not a guarantee of quality.
- How vine age really affects wine texture, concentration, and style (and when it doesn’t).
- Proven tips for reading “Old Vine” labels and finding real heritage wines, not hype.
- What wine regions around the world are doing to protect and define old vine vineyards.
Episode Timestamps:
00:04:00 - Why “Old Vine” Means Nothing Without Context
00:06:08 - How Old Vines Can Impact Wine Texture and Flavor
00:08:21 - Why Many Old Vineyards Get Replanted—And The Risk to Quality
00:12:58 - Regions Fighting Back: How Wine Laws Are Changing for Old Vines
00:14:19 - Price vs. Age: Don’t Get Fooled by Expensive Old Vine Labels
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