Have you ever heard the terms old world and new world when it comes to wine and wondered what on Earth does that mean? I feel you. The wine vocabulary is full of stuffy terms that make it harder to understand wine, and this my friends is one of the stuffiest of the stuffy. The sort of term that, as we drill down into it, may not even be that relevant anymore. So let’s dive into the battle between old world vs new world wine and see what the difference really is!
What are old world and new world wines?
So what is old world and new world wine? To me, it sounds like something that is out of a fantasy book or movie. But these terms have been around for many years. They’re used to give consumers an idea of the type of wine.
In the most basic terms, the difference between old world vs new world wine is geographic. If a wine is from a certain geographic area it is old wine, and if it is from anywhere else it is new world. So where are the lines drawn? Well, it comes back to history. Those regions where the traditional techniques of winemaking were established in Europe are referred to as old world. Every other region in the world is new world. Seems simple enough right? Well, we all know wine is never that simple!
You can often pick this distinction in the wines that we drink today. Those wines from France such as Champagne or Burgundy which have very specific winemaking techniques, labels etc. have a very different feel to something from Australia. This is for many reasons, but these often come together to define what is old and new world.
These days, old world and new world take on even broader connotations and spark debates among wine lovers, usually around tradition and modernisation and what is better. Old world implies tradition and history. But new world has carved out space or innovation and trying new things. However, as winemakers from old and new world wine regions start to experiment – is the wine still old world if it is made in a new world style?
To understand this argument, let’s look more closely at the difference between the two.
Wine characteristics
The key differences between old world and new world wines are:
- Winemaking – Old world wines are made using more traditional methods often with strict rules. As a result, there is usually less winemaking involved in the process. New world wines are characterised by more involvement from the winemaker, and with fewer rules around their techniques there is usually more room to experiment with winemaking styles
- Labels – Old world wines don’t usually have the grape variety on the label, and instead use the region or appellation to imply which grape has been used. New world wines tend to have the grape variety on the label. For example, a Chardonnay from Australia will say ‘Chardonnay’ on the label, but from Chablis, France it will say ‘Chablis’
- Style – Old world vs new world wines can also refer to the difference in style. New world wines generally are warmer climates which leads to fuller-bodied, higher alcohol wines with pronounced fruit flavours and lower acidity. Old world wines, in contrast, tend to be lighter bodied, lower in alcohol with higher acidity and less fruity flavours. These generalisations don’t work in every instance but are used quite commonly.
Certain elements like the winemaking style and labels can be controlled by region regulations. But it is difficult to generalise, particularly when it comes to style. How can you guarantee that an old world wine region will always producer a lighter style? And why do we hold old world wines in such high regard when really it just comes down to a style and tradition? Are these wines really better?
Old world wine regions
To understand the difference between old world vs new world wine, we need to understand where to find these wines and why they have this definition. Old world wines are held in high regard and can carry a high price point because they are seen as the influencers of other countries winemaking. They created the rules and traditions around winemaking, and are part of a rich history where modern winemaking traditions first originated. So, they are held in high regard because they are seen as the original, and sometimes the best.
So where will you find old world wines?
- France – there is no surprise that France is one of the key old world wine areas. To study wine is to study France some say. The origin of some of the most well-known grapes in the world is France, and their best blends have defined balancing wines for hundreds of years. Their traditions have shaped modern winemaking, and their rules and restrictions have resulted in some of the most expensive wines in the world
- Italy – Italy has a rich history of wine, and its influence on new world wine regions is far-reaching.
- Portugal – Although lesser-known, Portugal is considered old world for its rich history
- Spain – Spain has a huge number of native grape varieties and their individual take on every style of wine has influenced winemaking globally
- Germany – There are many native grapes to Germany, but its Riesling has gained traction all over the world
The wines that come out of these countries have a distinct feel to them. Think of the labels, the terminology and the price points. Although the wines of each country have their own traditions, they all carry this similarity of tradition.
New world wine regions
New world wines, in contrast, are characterised by countries that have borrowed winemaking traditions to jumpstart shaping their own. These started with colonization, and as most of the world was colonized by Europe, these ideas helped to shape wine around the world.
Over time these regions have started to bring in new traditions, experimented with new methods of winemaking and have embraced innovation. This along with fewer rules to structure winemaking has led to unique styles where some old ways of winemaking have been thrown out the window. Whether or not you think this is a good thing really depends on what you prefer!
Some new world wine examples:
- Australia – Australia’s wine regions produce a wide range of wines, and we’ve even paved the way for new styles known the world over such as Hunter Valley Semillon or Aussie Shiraz!
- New Zealand – New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is one example of the amazing winemaking that the Kiwis do with their cool climate styles
- North America – California has been the gateway to wine in America, and arguably the new world too, but now there are so many incredible wine regions in America producing amazing wines across different styles
- South America – South America has taken French grapes and made them their own in examples of Malbec and Chile’s version of Carmenere. These wines are completely unique to their French counterparts
- South Africa – as one of the oldest new world wine regions, its combination of European influence and transformation has shaped unique wines
- China – China is a newcomer to the new world stage, and they’ve adopted the French model more recently
So what’s the winner?
Although the current trend in wine is to prefer old world to new world, what is actually better? Sometimes people use the term new world condescendingly to undermine a wine. But as modern winemakers experiment with old-world styles, does it really matter?
The distinction between old world vs new world wine is based in the place, not the wine style. You can get wines from any region and they will all be different. But really it comes down to personal preference. If you love the taste of a French Chablis, or love a Barossa Valley Shiraz, it doesn’t matter. Old world, new world, it shouldn’t make any difference to what you enjoy drinking!