In the wine world, people often talk about Old World and New World wines. This distinction rests on history, terroir, climate, grape varieties and winemaking methods.
France, Italy and Spain generally belong to the Old World. The United States, Australia, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa are classed as the New World.
But these categories are no longer always enough to explain the style of a wine.
The Old World: the importance of terroir
In European wine regions, terroir takes centre stage.
Soil, exposure, climate and the producer's know-how all shape the wine's identity.
In France, appellations also play an important role.
A Bordeaux, a Burgundy or a Châteauneuf-du-Pape is associated first and foremost with its geographical origin.
Grape varieties are sometimes less prominent on the label.
The aim is often to highlight the expression of terroir and winemaking tradition.
Often fresher wines
Old World wines are often described as fresher, more structured and sometimes more complex.
In cool or temperate climates, grapes ripen more slowly.
They generally retain more acidity.
The wines can then show aromas of red fruit, flowers, spice or mineral notes.
Tannins can also be firmer in young red wines.
But this rule is not absolute.
Some regions of southern Europe produce very powerful, rich wines.
The New World puts the grape first
In the New World, the grape variety is often more visible.
A bottle may display Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir or Syrah directly on the label.
This approach makes things easier for the consumer.
It also makes it easy to compare the same grape grown in several regions.
Producers often benefit from more flexible regulations.
They therefore have more freedom to experiment with winemaking, ageing and blending.
Fruitier, riper profiles
New World wines are often associated with warmer climates.
This can encourage greater grape ripeness.
Red or black fruit aromas can then be more intense.
The wines can also show more roundness and power.
Alcohol levels can be higher and tannins sometimes softer.
Oak ageing can also add woody, vanilla or spicy notes.
However, some wines from New Zealand, Chile or high-altitude Argentina can retain plenty of freshness and acidity.
Climate matters more than continent
The difference between Old and New World depends a great deal on climate.
A cool vineyard will generally produce grapes with more acidity.
A warm vineyard will favour greater ripeness and richer wines.
Altitude and proximity to the ocean also play a role.
This is why two wines from the same grape can be very different.
A Cabernet Sauvignon from France can be more structured and fresher than a Californian Cabernet Sauvignon, which is often riper and fruitier.
Winemaking strongly influences taste
Winemaking is another essential factor.
Fermentation, maceration and ageing can profoundly change a wine's style.
Some producers favour traditional methods.
Others use more modern techniques to precisely control fermentation or temperature.
The use of oak can also transform the aromatic profile.
Today these techniques circulate worldwide.
Differences between regions are therefore less obvious than they once were.
Winemaking traditions well beyond Europe
The Old World versus New World distinction also has its limits.
Countries such as Georgia and Armenia have winemaking traditions thousands of years old.
In Georgia, the qvevri remains an emblematic method.
Wine can ferment in large buried clay jars.
These practices show that the history of wine extends far beyond Western Europe.
They are also part of the return of ancient winemaking methods in many countries.
Climate change is blurring the lines
Climate change also has a strong influence on styles.
Some European regions are getting warmer.
Grapes can reach greater ripeness and produce richer wines.
Conversely, some New World producers now look for cooler or higher plots.
The aim is often to preserve more acidity and finesse.
The traditional differences between Old World and New World are therefore gradually fading.
How to recognise the differences when tasting
When tasting, several elements can help.
Old World wines can show more freshness, acidity and structure.
New World wines can be fruitier, rounder and more powerful.
But these remain tendencies.
Climate, terroir, grape variety and producer remain the most important factors.
Two worlds drawing closer
Old World and New World wines keep different histories and traditions.
But the boundaries are much blurrier today.
Producers share techniques, experiment with new methods and adapt their practices to the climate.
Rather than setting two categories against each other, it is more interesting to look at the terroir, the grape, the winemaking and the producer's identity.
It is this diversity that allows the wine world to offer so many different styles today.
