Most wine grapes grow between 30 and 50 degrees latitude east to west, north and south of the equator. As a result, nowadays, you can get wine from almost all continents. Surely we all know wines from France, Spain and Italy, right? Additionally, some of your preferred wines may come from Australia, South Africa, Argentina or California. To name just a few. These latter ones classify as New World wines. While your French, Spanish or Italian favourites originate from the Old World. In this blog post, we dive (a little bit) into wine history and the differences between Old and New World wines.
The Old and the New World
In short, we can say that all wines that are produced in the traditional European wine countries, like Italy, Germany, France and Spain, are from the Old World. And all wine-producing countries outside of Europe constitute the New World. Like Australia, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and California [1].
These terms stem from the early 16th century when America (and a few centuries later Australia) were colonized and labelled as the New World. Before that Europeans believed the world consisted of Europe, Asia and Africa, aka the Old World. [2]
You’ll notice a slight difference in the classification, as South African wines are classified als New World wines, while Africa was considered to be part of the Old World. Probably because in South Africa, wine production only began in the 1680s. While in Europe it originates from the Middle Ages. However, if we dive further back into history, we’ll discover that wine did not originate from Europe… Hah! You didn’t expect that, did you? ;-)
A little bit of wine history
Don’t worry I won’t bore you with a long history lesson. ;-) Since one might write a book about the history of wine and winemaking around the world. But I will try to give you a brief insight into the history of wine in Europe and how it got here.
From the Ancient World to Europe
Starting with the interesting fact that the oldest winery dates from 4100 BC, as was discovered in 2007 in the Areni-1 cave complex in Armenia [3]. I know; not in Europe, but between Turkey and Russia. Interesting though is that it is the oldest winery ever found. And it’s over 6.120 years old.
Other early known traces of wine (production and consumption) have been found up to 3.000 years earlier. Almost all of them outside Europe. Namely in China (7000 BC), Georgia (6000 BC) and Iran (Persia) (5000 BC). In fact, the oldest trace in Europe was found on the Italian Island Sicily (4000 BC). [4]
In addition Egyptian scripts (dating back to 2500 BC) tell us about various types of wine, mainly used to worship the gods. [5]
During the following centuries, wine consumption and production expanded from Egypt and Sicily to a.o. Greece and mainland Italy. Wine eventually became an important beverage in the Roman Empire (27 BC – 286 AD) and advanced into the rest of Europe with its expansion.
Straight wine for Barbarians
Although it was also made from fermented grape juice, you wouldn’t want to drink the wine from the Ancient times. It simply does not compare to the wine we know now. Another interesting detail I found is that in those days they didn’t drink wine straight. According to Canadian historian and wine writer, Rod Philips in his article for Guildsomm; “The Greeks regarded anyone who drank wine straight as Barbarians and, at the very least, they themselves diluted wine with water”. [6] The goal here being able to drink all night during upper-class gatherings, without getting too drunk.
Wine cocktail
But the diluting did not only happen for civil reasons. Ancient wines contained heavy sediments, like grape skins, twigs and even insects that were caught during the processing of the grapes. Not a very pleasant idea, right?
Apparently all through the Ancient World, wine was drunk not only diluted with water but as a cocktail. For example mixed with beer, herbs, spices or fruit and berry wines. [6] Herbs and spices, eh? Would that also be the origin of gluhwein (or mulled wine)? Just a thought… ;-)
Wine for the Catholic mass
In the Middle Ages (400 AD - the Renaissance 1.500 AD), in southern Europe wine was the common drink in general in all classes. In the north and east of Europe though, they usually drank beer and ale. Whereas wine did get exported north- and eastwards, the ‘common people’ didn’t drink it. Catholic mass had the privilege of the use of wine.
Not surprisingly Benedictine monks became the first and largest wine producers in France (Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux) and Germany (Rheingau and Franconia). [4]
Interesting historical facts
Are you still reading? Okay, great! Let me just share a few more interesting historical facts with you. Then we’ll get back to our own century and the differences between Old and New World wines. ;-)
In 1435 a wealthy count planted the first riesling vines in Frankfurt. Also here local monks produced the wine and shipped it all over Europe. Resulting in the birth of the most important grape and wine for Germany, I’d say.
Fame for Bordeaux started a little bit earlier, in the 12th century. Thanks to the marriage of the king of England to the duchess of Aquitaine. The marriage opened the English market for French wines that earlier were hardly ever exported.
The first grapevines brought to ‘the Americas’ were also church-related. That is to say, European varieties were planted to produce wine for the Catholic Holy Eucharist (and called the Mission grape).
In the 16th century, Mexico became the most important wine-producing country in ‘the Americas’, until the Spanish king sent an executive order to stop the competition for Spanish wines.
Australia's First Fleet brought cuttings of vines from South Africa in 1788. But the first plantings failed. It wasn’t until the early 19th century that the first successful vineyards established themselves.
Until the second half of the 20th century, American wine was generally viewed as inferior to that of Europe. However, at the Paris Wine tasting of 1976, American wines got a high rating and New World wine began to gain respect.
Modern Old and New World wines
So what’s the difference between Old and New World wines? Obviously, climate plays a role. As does grape variety and terroir.
Generally, you could say that in Old World wines terroir forms the primary element and they often taste better with food. As they are more fresh/ dry and stronger in body and tannin content.
Besides that, the label often doesn’t even mention the grape variety, only the area of origin. As the law dictates which grapes are used in a Chianti, Rioja or Bourgogne.
On the contrary, again in general, New World wines are made to drink on its own. Therefore they are full of fruity aromas and smooth to drink. And the grape variety mostly dominates the label.
That being said, nowadays the differences are less straight. You can also get fruity young wines from Spain, for example. And heavier, drier and less fruity Australian ones. [1]
Tradition versus innovation
Another interesting difference is best explained by this expression described on Vinodelvida.com. Old World Wines go by the saying “We made the rules and stick to the rules.” Meaning, wine from the traditional European wine countries thrive on tradition and regulations.
As New World wines on the other hand live by the phrase “Rules are made to break.” In other words, New World winemakers are largely free to adopt new techniques and experiment more with the winemaking process. [7]
Taste the difference
But you know what? To really ‘get’ the difference, or at least to determine your own preference, you need to taste. :-D Of course! Very interesting to do are comparative tastings. For example, compare an Australian Shiraz to a French Syrah from the same vintage. Other interesting comparisons you can do in a tasting are for example:
French Pinot Noir vs one from New Zealand.
Cabernet Sauvignon from Spain versus an Australian CS
A Chardonnay from California against a French one
Merlot from Chile versus a French Merlot
These are also still on our wish list, by the way ;-)
Old and New World Sauvignon Blancs
We did do an interesting comparative tasting of 3 different Sauvignon Blancs during the lockdown in March this year. Two from the New World (Chile and New Zealand) and one from the Old World (Spain). All 3 from the supermarket, by the way. And I think we need to do it again, as I can’t find my tasting notes!! Sh*t!
Anyway, I do recall we had a Mudhouse from New Zealand. The Spanish one was from Rueda, I believe it was called Marqués de Riscal.
And the one from Chile was Echo Falls. All 3 100% Sauvignon Blanc from 2019 or 2018. All the same vintage. It wouldn't be fair otherwise.
Conclusion
Very clear in all 3 of them were the citrus aromas, that are typical for Sauvignon Blanc. In the Mudhouse especially grapefruit prevailed. In the Spanish one, the aromas were more orange-like. The Chilean lost the competition for us, being the flattest and boring one in taste and nose.
We favoured the Spanish one. Maybe because we have a preference for Spanish wines in general. Or maybe because in this case tradition did contribute to an overall better wine. Who knows?
But don’t just take it from me. Try it yourself ;-) And do share your findings with us! We love to hear about your tasting experiences. So tell us in a comment below this post.
Enjoy! :-D
It´s WineTime!
Information sources used for this post:
Course / Book ´Ik weet veel van wijn, SDEN-Niveau 3
guildsomm.com/public_content/features/articles/b/rod_phillips/posts/ancient-wine-then-and-now
vinodelvida.com/best-wine-varieties/old-vs-new-world-wine-explained/
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