What does it mean?
Old World and New World wines
Old World wine, New World wine... it's the sort of reference you might have heard at a wine tasting but never really understood. What do the terms "old world" or "new world" mean, and how can they help you learn more about the wine styles you enjoy?
The terms originally referred to the country in which the wine was produced. However, with Old World countries now producing wines that are characteristically New World, it has come to indicate style rather than region. As a wine lover, you may prefer one over the other, and knowing the difference could open you up to a new world (pun intended) of different varieties and winemakers.
Old World
This term historically referred to wines made by the countries seen as the "original" wine producers, going back thousands of years. This includes Europe – such as France, Italy, Germany, Spain – and the Middle East – like Turkey, Lebanon, Georgia.
Old World wines are made using more traditional winemaking techniques, regulated by stricter rules. For example, all French and Italian wine is structured by a wine classification system.
In Italy, the inclusion of "DOCG", "DOC", or "IGT" on wine labels indicates how closely a winemaker has followed production guidelines in a certain region or for a specific variety.
Many Old World Wines are also named based on the region, such as Bordeaux or Burgundy.
When it comes to flavour, Old World wines tend to be more restrained and elegant, with less punchy fruit and a greater focus on spice, herb characters, and minerality or earthiness. They have lower alcohol and are often more acidic in style.
New World
The New World essentially refers to any colonised country where winemaking was introduced by the coloniser. This includes Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, and – a growing player on the global stage – China.
New World wines are said to be more experimental because the regions aren't dominated by centuries-old rules about how and where certain wines should be produced. When it comes to flavour, New World wines are typically known to be more "fruit forward". They are bright, bold, and powerfully flavoursome, often dominated by younger or riper fruit. They are less acidic but more alcoholic.
As wine regions, techniques, and tastes have changed, the terms have evolved to refer to the wine style, and knowing which one you prefer can help you experiment with new wines with less risk.
We spoke to him about the different styles and how they are evolving.
Check out Armadale Cellar's website, or visit them at 813-817 High St, Armadale 3143 for more of Phil's expertise.