As you start learning more about wine, you may hear people reference ‘new world’ and ‘old world’ wines, but what do those terms really mean? While one is not better than the other, there are some distinct differences between the two styles, and some wine drinkers do have a preference. Read on to find out more about what the two terms mean and how they differ.
Similarities of New World & Old World Wines
One similarity between the two worlds is the wines that are produced. You can find many of the same varietals grown in both the old world and the new, especially the most popular wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc, to name a few.
But that is where the similarities between New World and Old World wines end. Where they are grown, how they are made, and the styles of wines produced are all different. Granted, there may be some overlap from winery to winery—a producer of Pinot Noir in Canada may borrow techniques from a producer in France and end up with a very similar wine—but generally speaking, the two worlds are very different.
Differences Between New World & Old World Wines
At its most basic level, the terms ‘new world wine’ and ‘old world wine’ refer to where the wine was made. Old World wines come from regions where wine production originated: Europe, the Middle East, and in a few instances, North Africa. This includes wine heavy hitters like France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, and the lesser-known but still-popular countries like Greece, Romania, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel.
New World wines hail from countries where winemaking is relatively new—at least new compared to the vast history of wine production in European countries. These regions include the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Argentina, and South Africa.
| Old World Countries | New World Countries |
| France | United States |
| Italy | New Zealand |
| Spain | Australia |
| Germany | Chile |
| Greece | Argentina |
| Romania | South Africa |
| Lebanon | |
| Jordan | |
| Israel |
Tradition also plays a significant role in the production of Old World wine, with many wineries being family owned and passed down from generation to generation. But more than that, every major wine-producing region has distinct rules and regulations that govern every aspect of wine production from what can be planted, where and how much is planted, pruning methods, ripeness minimums before harvesting, and winemaking techniques.
These laws ensure that there is a standard of quality consistently maintained. You will often see these regulating bodies designated on the wine label: AOC on French wines, or DOC on Italian wines, for example.
On the other hand, there are very few rules and regulations with New World wines. Wine makers are free to produce wine using whatever methods they see fit. Many New World wine producers embrace experimentation and are open to the modern advances and new technologies in wine making.
How To Distinguish Between New World & Old World Wines
The styles of New World and Old World wines also differ. This is largely due to the difference in climates, but the experimental production methods of New World wines also play a role. Old World wines are typically from cooler climates; New World wines are, by and large, warmer climates. It is also said that Old World wines are more expressive of the terroir, and New World wines are more expressive of the grape.
Old World wines tend to be lighter in body and have less alcohol content, along with less fruit, higher acidity and higher minerality. Where these wines lack in fruity notes, they make up for in earthy or floral notes.
New World wines are more fruit-forward, with fuller bodies, and higher alcohol content. However, given the lack of regulations and open experimentation of New World wine production, there are plenty of exceptions to this.
New World & Old World Wines Comparison Chart
| Characteristic | New World | Old World |
| Sweetness | Varies by the varietal | Varies by the varietal |
| Acidity | Lower Acidity | Higher Acidity |
| Tannins | Varies by the varietal | Varies by the varietal |
| Body | Fuller-bodied | Lighter-bodied |
| Tasting Notes | More fruit forward | Less fruity, more earthy |
| Popularity | 390 Avg. monthly searches | 390 Avg. monthly searches |
| Calories Per Glass | Varies by the varietal | Varies by the varietal |
| ABV % | Higher Alcohol | Lower Alcohol |
Pairing Food with New World & Old World Wines
Pairing food with New World and Old World wines is going to come down to the individual wine. A Merlot is not going to pair with the same foods as a Chardonnay, even if they come from the same “world” or even the same winemaker. That being said, there are some general food pairing rules that will help you along the way.
You probably have heard that red wines pair with red meat, and white wines pair with chicken and fish. There are some exceptions to these rules, but this is a good place to start. It is also better to pair your wine with the sauce, rather than the meat. A dish of Sichuan beef may lead you to believe a bold red should be your choice, but the tannins in red wine exacerbate the heat. The spicy Sichuan sauce is better paired with a crisp, acidic white. Red wines are also great with fatty dishes and sweet wines can be an excellent complement to salty foods.
