Old World vs. New World

The Old World

Winemaking goes back to antiquity, with the first evidence of viticulture being found in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. Vine stocks (and the taste for wine!) was spread via the conquest of civilizations. This means wine has been made for a very long time in European countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, as well as in Greece and Lebanon. In general terms, these are the countries included in the designation “Old World.”

The New World

“New World” refers to countries in North America (Canada, the United States), South America (Chile, Argentina, Uruguay) and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand), as well as South Africa. Vines were transported to the New World over the last 400 years by explorers from the Old World; viticulture and winemaking were thus propagated by the French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese who travelled to these new territories.

Two different ideas about wine

More than being simply two geographic distinctions, the Old World/New World distinction also refers to two styles of winemaking. In general, wines from Europe are more delicate, complex, elegant and restrained, with more obvious acidity and better aging potential. New World wines are seen as more jammy, drinkable and seductive, as fatter and woodier, less austere and acidic—in short, more charming! But in reality, this distinction is less and less evident, since some New World wines are particularly elegant, and Europe is now attempting to produce wines that are more seductive. So happily these stereotypes are disappearing, as Australia and South Africa demonstrate, for example.

The Australian revival

The offer down under is more diverse than ever and behind us are the days of the monolithic full-bodied Australian wine. Recent years have ushered in new quality-focussed producers, and lately they’ve been taking a much more balanced approach to the craft.

Australian wines are all about subtlety and freshness. The woodiness is now more discreet that ever, and a much-welcomed acidity means you won’t be able to get enough. There’s a quality-forward Renaissance underway in Australia and it’s making for increasingly distinctive wines. To boot, the Aussies are making use of an ever-widening array of grape varieties, and the results are convincing.

Meanwhile in South Africa

The country is showing increasing diversity and quality at every price range. Terroir-driven wines are showing up more and more, as their complex, balanced, and often downright fresh character draw increasing attention. The secret to their success – and the surprise they elicit – is likely due to their capacity to navigate an interesting midpoint between new world and old world styles.

The diversity of these offerings is borne of a climate that can go from cool and oceanic to hot and dry in the space of just a few dozen kilometers, depending on which side of a bay or valley the vines are, or how high they are growing.