France Total Wine Professional (TWP) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Premium Cote Rotie labels frequently highlight the term "Vieilles Vignes," which translates to "old vines." This designation indicates that the grapes used to produce the wine come from older vine plantings, often over 50 years old. These older vines typically yield lower quantities of grapes but with greater concentration and depth of flavor, enhancing the quality of the wine.

The significance of "Vieilles Vignes" in the context of Cote Rotie is that older vines have established deeper root systems, which can lead to better water and nutrient absorption and result in more complex and nuanced flavors in the wine. Consumers often seek out wines labeled with this term as they are usually seen as having higher prestige and are frequently associated with superior craftsmanship and mature characteristics reflective of the terroir.

In contrast, other terms such as "Grand Cru" and "Premier Cru" are more commonly associated with the Burgundy region, denoting classified growths based on vineyard rankings rather than vine age. The term "Classique" does not carry the same connotation of quality linked to older vines and is a more general term that can apply to various styles or regions within wines.