L2: Old World vs. New World

Question 1

Describe old world style

Answer 1

Focused on terroir and nature of the grapes. Varietal fingerprints. Centuries of tradition. Restraint. Sublety.

To start, it is necessary to dispel the notion that Old World wines are solely the result of a sense of place, or that they are free of the technological sleight of hand and manipulation that critics of New World practices decry. Given their two millennia of viticultural experience, it is reasonable to assume that European winemakers have embraced new technologies over the centuries. Otherwise, we’d still be drinking highly oxidized wine from clay amphorae.
What defines Old World wine is restraint, a subtlety that says more about its provenance than the person and process that brought it into being. Proponents of this style refer to wines that have a footprint, a set of unique sensory elements that can only be found in the area from which the wines originated. This is wine driven by earthiness, as opposed to pure fruit flavors.

Question 2

Describe new world style

Answer 2

Focused on market and current trends in wine. Today: Big, fruit forward, high alcohol, oak.

A common denominator of New World wines that most New World bottlings are market-driven; they offer flavor profiles that make them appealing to newly minted wine drinkers. In short, they are approachable. At their worst, these are wines that show little variation from one vintage to the next and provide a comfortable homogeneity for the wine consuming public.
It must be noted that not all New World wines are hedonistic, overtly manipulated fruit bombs sporting high levels of alcohol. Plentiful examples exist that emphasize the place and have the winemaker’s unique signature stamped on them. When new world wines offer sublime pleasures, it is often in a unique individualistic manner. While Old World wines tend to embody centuries-long traditions, new world wines offer the signature of a specific winemaker.`

Question 3

Describe the major differences between old world and new world

Answer 3

New: Fuller Body
New: More Alcohol
New: More Oak
New: More Fruit

Old: Higher Acid
Old: Lighter Body
Old: Minimal Oak

**Old has a greater focus on grape fingerprints

** Lower alochol, higher acid makes grape flavors more present, identifiable

Question 4

What are some common descriptors for old and new world wines

Answer 4

OLD WORLD
Flavor (aromatics): Less fruit-driven with more earthiness, or a loamy and leathery quality. Also mineral, floral, herbaceous, and more exotic spices.
Taste sensations: More acidic, sometimes with noticeable tartness. Savory, even a bit saline. Can show a dry bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Generally not as dense as New World wines. It can have rough edges, with bold tannins and astringency. There is also a more structured mouthfeel. The finish is usually persistent and prolonged.
Common descriptors include restrained, subtle, rustic, balanced, austere, elegant, complex, and age-worthy.

NEW WORLD
Flavor (aromatics): Ripe, well-defined fruit. Not as earthy or as Old World wines, with a more obvious barrel influence that includes toast, vanillin, caramel, cedar, and baking spices.
Taste sensations: Less acidic and tart. Riper fruit (sweet) flavors. Not overtly bitter.
Mouthfeel: Soft tannins that are smooth and mouth-filling. There is a sensation that coats the palate. Dense texture with more heft. Not as astringent.
Common descriptors include aggressive, generous, bold, opulent, lush, or indulgent.