What does Old World Wine mean? Find out the differences between New World and Old World wine and how winemaking practices and regional climate greatly affect the taste of wine. The spread of winemaking and Vitis vinifera grapes from the Middle East into Europe defines what areas are part of the Old World (in terms of wine). Public Domain Map by Anonymous circa 1570 via Wikimedia For example, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Germany are Old World wine countries that have made wine for thousands of years. Also, based on the definition, countries like Turkey, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova are Old World wine regions as well. For example, the United States, Australia, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and New Zealand are New World wine regions. Also, based on the definition, China, India and Japan are New World wine regions. Yes, they often do. The differences in Old World and New World wines come from winemaking practices (tradition) and from the affect of the land and climate on the grapes (the “terroir”).

Despite these common descriptors between New and Old World wines, there are plenty of exceptions to the rule. This is because winemakers have a fair amount of control when it comes to affecting how a wine will ultimately taste. Call it a winemaking preference if you want, but many Old World regions have rules and regulations that dictate winemaking practices which ultimately decides a wine’s style. For example, if you made Malbec with the exact same winemaking methodologies in Mendoza, Argentina and then in Cahors, France, the wines would taste similar but not the same. In this case, The difference is in the conditions (the climate, the microfauna, etc) of the two regions. FUN FACT: An American winemaker famous for Malbec from Argentina (Paul Hobbs of Viña Cobos ) went to Cahors, France to make a Malbec–just as described above. Example 1: Bordeaux Merlot vs. California Merlot 2008 Rombauer Merlot California Critic Review “This elegant, focused version delivers currant and floral herb aromas and appealing cherry, caramel and spice flavors.

Drink now through 2017.” -Wine Spectator ANALYSIS Wine Spectator is quick to announce the fruit characteristics of this wine first and also discuss “Caramel” and “Spice” which indicate oak aging. “Floral Herb” is mentioned as an aroma but not a flavor, saying that this wine may smell complex but tastes more fruity. what type of wine goes best with turkeyRombauer has long been known for making very fruit-forward wines in the past and Wine Spectator says this one is not as bold or lush as the others with the word “Elegant”.best place for wine in houston 2009 Chateau Siaurac France Critic Reviewbest wine for valentine “Attractive truffle, graphite and plum notes intermixed with mocha and black cherry cascade from the glass of this supple, chunky, fleshy wine. gold top wine glasses

There is good glycerin, purity and overall character to this wine, which can be drunk over the next decade.” -Robert Parker ANALYSIS Robert Parker reveals the most prevalent flavors of this wine first in his description of Chateau Siarac. best wine labels of 2015By saying the words “Graphite,” “Truffle” and “Chunky” he is telling us that the wine is more earthy. where to buy little wine bottlesThe indication of its expected age-worthiness of a decade, Parker is saying that the wine has the 4 components that make a wine age worthy. This does not mean that the wine will necessarily drink well now. 2011 Brancott Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand Critic Review “Brancott sets the style for clean, oceanic Marlborough sauvignon with this mouthwatering wine. There’s a touch of flint in the aroma, bright passionfruit flavors and fresh acidity to balance it.” -Wine & Spirits

ANALYSIS Wine & Spirits suggests that the wine has a unique mineral aroma, but says that overall it tastes of passionfruit. “Passionfruit” in Sauvignon Blanc is a ripe flavor whereas flavors like “Lemon” and “Pepper” indicate a sauvignon blanc that was picked less ripe. 2011 Les Roches Touraine Blanc France Critic Review “Intense classic nose of cut grass, pepper and, believe it or not, pineapples and lemons, with plenty of minerality. Very crisp and refreshing” -KL WInes ANALYSIS KL Wines points out that this wine has a “Classic” note of “Cut Grass.” Picking flavors other than fruit shows that this wine has more savory flavors. Sauvignon Blanc from France tends to lean towards more herbaceous and mineral flavors. A simplified map showing Old and New World wine regions.Overview of New World Wine RegionsVideo: 39sec Quiz: 2 questionsNew world wine regions refers to all of the wine growing regions outside of Europe. Key new world wine regions include California, Washington, Oregon, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

There are probably some new world wine regions that you didn’t even know about.Some of the wine grapes that are each of these new world wine regions are best know for include:California – Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc Washington – Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Riesling Oregon – Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and increasingly Riesling Argentina – Malbec, Chardonnay Chile – Cabernet, Chardonnay Australia – Syrah/Shiraz, Cabernet, Chardonnay New Zealand – Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc South Africa – Cabernet, PinotageCheck out these wines and you have a good shot at finding a winner.The “New World” RegionsCaliforniaOregonWashingtonCanadaArgentinaChileAustraliaNew ZealandSouth AfricaNew World and Old World Wines: Similarities and Differences Any wine enthusiast would know that an understanding of the difference between the old world and new world wine varieties is essential in maximizing the wine-tasting experience. This is because these two varieties have general differences between them that affect their taste, price, and availability.

To make a good choice, the wine connoisseur must first understand what choices are available in the market. The differences between the two can be classified in categories of region, regulation, wine style, and labelling. Old world wines refer to wine produced in European countries and traditional wine-making nations such as France, Italy, Greece, and Spain as well as some countries in North Africa and the Middle East. These realms have a longer history of wine-making than other producers. Their long history of viniculture and viticulture extending to thousands of years for some resulted in the creation of winemaking standards and the implementation of wine quality control measures. New world wines, on the other hand, refer to wines produced by countries such as the United States, South America, Australia, and South Africa. These so-called new world regions have only been making wine since the sixteenth century, making them relatively young wine producers. These countries adopted the traditions of the old world wine producers.

Given the long history of winemaking in the old world regions as well as the major role wine products played in these countries’ economies, they have developed and implemented regulations and quality control measures viticulturists and winemakers abide within ensuring that the regions are only associated with wines of the same top-caliber quality and maintain the value the public associated with their wines. Regulations would cover allowable grape varieties in certain regions, harvest methods, minimum alcohol contents, and winemaking methods. The new world regions, in contrast, have fewer laws in place to regulate winemaking. Consequently, winemakers are free to plan and harvest grape varieties that they prefer. Additionally, they are also more able to experiment with different varieties and wine compositions to produce hybrid wine products as opposed to the signature wine products of the Old World. Wine style, which is characterized by the smell, feel, and taste of tipple, is probably the most notable difference between the two varieties.

The wine style is largely affected by the climate, soil, viticulture and viniculture used in wine production. Generally, old world producers focus on the terroir or the overall environment where the fruits are cultivated including but not limited to the soil of that region, climate, and location. Grapes are grown and harvested with a focus on an expression of place more than the grape variety as each country possesses different wine regions producing distinct brands of wine. Because of this, old world wines tend to be more earthly and mineral-driven. New world producers, however, focus on the grapes, often producing more fruit-tasting wines with few to no earth or mineral undertones. Due to the climate difference, the taste of wine is also affected. Old world regions do not get as warm as the new world regions. Their grapes are not ripened as much as those produced in the New World. Their wine is light-bodied, with high acid and lower alcohol content. In contrast, new world regions tend to be warmer, so grapes are ripened more and have more sugar content, which translates to more alcohol.

The wine is full-bodied, with ripe or overripe fruit taste and with low acid and high alcohol contents. Labels used by the two varieties also reflect the previously mentioned difference in style. Old world wines are labelled according to the region or origin of the wine. For example, a wine labelled Chablis would mean that the wine came from the Chablis region in France, as opposed to the grape variety actually used for the wine, which is Chardonnay grapes. Hence, it is important to have a mastery of the different wine regions to make an informed choice. The new world labels make this task easier for the buyer, as the labels contain the grape variety used in producing the wine. Thus, the label would simply say Chardonnay, Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc. Get the best of both worlds There are significant differences between old and new world wines. There has always been a great debate about which one is better, as many wine drinkers often claim to prefer one over the other.