Old vs New whats the big deal? These are terms we hear a lot in the wine world and will continue to hear till the end of the world. Now basically I can sum it up by saying Europe vs Everywhere else but that just does not do it any justice, its more complex, deep, structured, aged, fuller than to have it be struck down by saying something so simple and easy. What I will not do though is write every single difference in region and country but give an overview of the main differences between Old vs New and give some examples that will help bring the difference to life and not just by reading something I wrote from extensive research.
We have all heard it before in life or in lore, people say "The old country," well for this it actually kind of makes sense to say "The old country" because Europe and the Middle East were the original areas where grapes were grown and turned into wine. Every country has different rules and regulations that are over seen by a specific group within their country that lays down the law about how, where and what will be grown there thus taking the time to make sure that everyone else knows this is what it is, this is where it came from and this is how it was done. That being said every AVA (American Viticulture Area) as we call it here in the New World or the AOC
(Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) in France (Old World) for example will show the differences in weather, appellation, soil content, rain fall and growing conditions. As for tasting notes Old World wines usually consist of more subtle fruit and more dominant mineral earth tones with lower alcohol content.
Now New World wines can be and usually are the opposite, big fruit forward, concentrated, higher alcohol content, focusing more on the grape itself than the area grown, although where the grapes are grown does have substantial change on what the end result will be. North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa are considered the power houses of the New World wines. Each country really specializing in their own style of wine making because each country has different weather, soil, appellation, rain fall and growing conditions which gives their own unique twist on the grapes grown. No two vineyards will produce the same quantity or quality of grapes grown, everyone one of them is special.
The wonderful thing about wine and all the contrast and comparison is that it is all subjective and it is meant to be enjoyed with friends and loved ones. Humans by nature are social creatures and what better way to bring everyone together. Apply your knowledge, learn everyday, enjoy what you do, drink good wine, surround yourself with people you love and you will have never wasted a day. Cheers!
Comparisons:
Bordeaux vs California or South American Cabernet (Chilean preferred)
Italian Pinot Grigio vs California Pinot Grigio
French Burgundy vs California or Oregon Pinot Noir
German Riesling vs Washington Riesling
That's just a few to get everyone started
