DAN'S WINE BLOG

2024-11-29

OLD VINE

Finally, there is an accepted standard for defining “Old Vine”

The OIV (International Organisation of Vine & Wine) has released the following definitions for Old Vines.

1/ An old vine must be “a single plant officially documented to be 35 years of age or older”

2/ A grafted old vine must have “the graft connection between rootstock and scion must be undisturbed for at least 35 years.

The definition of old vineyard is when “ a block of vineyard terrain, continuously and legally delimited, where at least 85% of the grapevines respond to the previous definitions. This definition allows for up to 15% to be younger due to planting replacements for vines that have died over this period of time.

So at least in theory, from now on, any wine label which states “Old Vine” must comply with this new International Standard.

?ALBANIA

Most people would struggle to say where Albania- the poorest country in Europe is, if they even knew of its existence. Wedged between Greece & Montenegro on the Mediterranean, Albania is one of the world’s oldest wine producing nations, with over 3,000 years of wine history.

Under a communist regime after World War 2 Albania became impoverished and only “industrial” wines were made. Over the last thirty or so years since overcoming the dictatorship, Albanian winemakers have studied in other European countries, especially Italy, and the wines have improved significantly. This has altered the styles of wines, especially with the “international” grape varieties, but also with the indigenous varieties, such as Shesh (black and white), Kallmet, Vlosh, Serin?, Pul?s, C?ruj?, Mereshnik, Debin (black and white), Kryq?s, Mjalt?z, Mavrud, Manakuq, Kotek?, Vranac, Stambollesh? and Babasan. None of which I had heard of before.

There are no designated regions thus far in Albanian wine, rather the wine is described as coming form either southern, central or northern region.

Since the turn of the century production has risen by 250% to just on 3 million litres (for context Yellow tail produces over 10 million litres of wine a year), half of which is exported to other European countries due to it low cost.

Industry leaders are working very hard to raise the standard and image of Albanian wine so that they can generate higher export sales to more markets, especially aiming at the USA. Additionally there is beginning to be a great focus on wine tourism, as the wine industry is seen as a key player in helping to dig the country out of it’s abject poverty.

Have a great week, stay safe and always #chooseaustralianwine and when possible enjoy #emergingvarieties.

Cheers

Dan T