Vine Age: Root Depth, Not a Number

The standard

Age-borne self-regulation describes how older vines limit their own growth of themselves: deeper roots buffer drought, lower vigour leads to more even ripening. The value of age lies in this regulation, not in the year count.

Criteria

• The roots reach deeper, more stable layers of water
• The yield per plant falls and fluctuates less
• Ripening turns out more even across the vineyard
• Age counts through its effect, not through the figure

Distinction

Vine age ≠ old vines: an age in years is measurable, "old vines" is a claim about effect. Age-borne self-regulation arises gradually, not at a fixed cut-off year.