Madeira wines are some of the longest lasting. Many of them go way past the century mark without spoiling. There is, however, the issue of price. A quick Internet search turned up both a 1901 bottle and a 1920 bottle for about $400. Enjoy!
Varietal characterVarietal character refers to the specific traits of a given grape variety of the ensuing wine.
A variety is a sub species of Vitus vinifera with characteristic aromas and flavors.
Vatting
This term refers to keeping grape skins in contact with the must or fermenting wine. In general, the longer the vatting, the darker the red wine.
Vineyard
A vineyard is a group of grape vines whose boundaries may be established by ownership or by other factors such as microclimate.
Viniculture
Viniculture is the science and business of wine, from growing the grapes to selling the wine without neglecting the multiple intermediate steps. Contrast with viticulture.
Vinifera
Vinifera is the species of most winemaking grape varieties. Unfortunately Vinifera varieties are susceptible to the Phylloxera louse and were almost wiped out approximately 150 years ago. With some exceptions they are grafted onto American rootstocks.
Vinification
Vinification is the process of transforming grape juice into wine.
A wine’s vintage is the year in which its grapes were harvested. The term also refers to the harvest of that particular year. Be careful, a great vintage is no guarantee of a given wine’s quality. Conversely there are excellent wines produced even in poor vintages.
Viticultural Area
A viticultural area is a legally defined and delimited grape-growing area in the United States. Vineyards within a given American Viticultural Area share climate, geographical and perhaps historical characteristics. 85% of the grapes in a wine must come from that area to be so labeled. Contrast this system with the French Appellation Controlee (Regulated Name) that specifies permitted yields, grape varieties and winemaking methods within each region.
Viticulture
Viticulture is the science of growing grapes. Contrast with viniculture.
Vitis labrusca
Vitis labrusca is an American vine species whose fruit is occasionally used for wine. It is more likely to be used as a rootstock to protect Vitis vinifera from the Phylloxera louse, or to grow grapes for eating raw or processed into juice, jam, and jelly. Common Vitis labrusca varieties include Concord and Niagara.
Vitis vinifera
Vitis vinifera is the species encompassing most of the wine grape varieties.