The age-old debate between New World and Old World wines might seem reductive in an era where winemaking has evolved across every continent. But let’s be real, understanding these categories isn’t crucial when choosing the wine for your wedding (especially as we’ve done all the legwork for you already), however, the distinction remains a helpful framework.

The Taste Difference Between Old and New

There’s no hard and fast rule, but generally, Old World wines are lighter in body, with lower alcohol, higher acidity, and a more subdued fruit profile, offering instead a sense of minerality. New World wines, however, tend to wear their full-bodied, high-alcohol, fruit-forward styles with pride.

Yet, this isn’t a rigid framework. Take Italy, an Old World stalwart, where certain regions churn out bold, ripe wines under the Mediterranean sun. So, maybe it’s more to do with the age-old French concept of terroir—a combination of soil, climate, and tradition that defines a wine’s character.

Old World Wine Regions: The Origin Story

When we talk about Old World wines, we’re talking about the regions that crafted the methods and philosophies that have shaped wine as we know it today. In the Old World, influence is everything. These countries exported not only their wines but also their grapes, winemakers, and winemaking techniques to the furthest corners of the globe.

Old World Icons: France, Italy, Spain, and Beyond

France, of course, is the gold standard. It’s impossible to learn about wine without getting to know French varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. These varieties originated in France, and French blends—think Bordeaux, Burgundy, or Champagne—have set the benchmark for balanced wine for centuries.

Then there’s Italy. Its reach extends from Tuscany to California, where Italian settlers left their indelible mark on the Golden State’s burgeoning wine industry. Speaking of the Americas, Portugal’s fortified Madeira was a favourite of early American luminaries like Thomas Jefferson, while Spain, with its sprawling vineyards and indigenous varieties, has influenced nearly every style of wine imaginable with thier sparkling Cava and powerful Rioja reds. Germany, often synonymous with Riesling, has also shaped the world’s understanding of this grape.

New World Wine Regions: Redefining the Rules

Referring to the Americas or Africa as the “New World” might sound off to a historian’s ear, but in the context of wine, this term has a specific meaning. New World wines stem from regions where European winemaking traditions were transplanted—often during colonisation—and later morphed into something entirely their own. It’s less about geographical “newness” and more about innovation. These winemaking regions took the traditional rulebook and, in many cases, tossed it out the window.

New World Mavericks: The Americas, Australia, and Beyond

California deserves top billing here, thanks to the Judgement of Paris in 1976 when it shocked the world by standing toe-to-toe with the finest French wines. Since then, regions like Washington, Oregon, and even Canada (hello, Ice Wine) have added their own twists to the New World tapestry.

Further south, Argentina and Chile took French varieties like Malbec and Carménère and gave them a distinctly local flair. Australia, with its sun-drenched vineyards, made Shiraz a household name, even if most drinkers didn’t realise it’s just a spicy take on Syrah. Meanwhile, New Zealand turned Sauvignon Blanc into a tropical, zesty affair that’s miles away from its steely French counterpart. And South Africa? It may be the oldest of the “New World” regions, with winemaking dating back to the 1600s, but it was only in the 1980s that its wines caught global attention.

Old World vs. New World: Final Thoughts

In today’s globalised wine market, the lines between Old and New World wines have blurred. But for those just beginning to explore this beautiful obsession, understanding where a wine comes from isn’t just about geography; it’s about tradition, climate, and the fascinating interplay of human creativity with the land.