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Wine term definitions: Old World and New World

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<html> <head> <title>Wine term definitions: Old World and New World</title> </head> <body> <h1>Wine term definitions: Old World and New World</h1> <div class="info">Author: <a href="http://pippym1122.articlealley.com/">pippym1122</a></div><div class="body">"Old World" and "New World" are perhaps two of the most used terms in wine lexicon. People new to the world of wine frequently express frustration when confronted with these terms, either on a wine bottle, or in a wine tasting. After all, what does each term actually mean? <br><br>Old World wines refer to wines that come from Europe and The Mediterranean basin, where wine has historically been made to established styles using certain grape varieties and winemaking techniques. Wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne (all France), Rioja (Spain) and Chianti (Italy) are therefore all Old World. The Old World has been making wine (almost) for ever - the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans establishing the earliest vineyards. <br><br>New World wines are basically everywhere else! The America's (North and South), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa are all New World wine producers. Winemaking in the New World began in the 16th century (initially in Mexico curiously enough). <br><br>So how do New World and Old World wines differ in style? In a wine tasting for instance? Well as a general rule of thumb, you would expect New World wines to come from sunnier climates where grapes often ripen with greater ease, resulting in lots of primary fruit aromas and flavours and generally higher alcohol levels. Old World wines conversely generally come from cooler climates, and may have crisper acidity and (comparatively) more austere characteristics. <br><br>Simple to spot in a blind wine tasting then? Not so unfortunately. In wine we are increasingly seeing what's being called a global taste. In the latter half of the 20th century, winemakers from the Old World and New World started not only to adopt each others techniques and approaches, they also visited, stayed at, took over, and sometimes founded vineyards and wineries in each other's territory. This homogenisation has made the distinctions between Old World and New World wines blurry. <br><br>In the future expect this homogenisation to continue unabated, as winemakers from across the world adopt best practice from each other and our lines of communication keep on opening up. Who knows, maybe in the future the terms Old World and New World will become obsolete? <br /><br /> Pip Martin is the founder of The Wine Adventure. Pip runs International, UK-wide and <a href="http://www.thewineadventure.co.uk" >London wine tasting</a> games & other events for corporate entertainment.</div> <div class="source">Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlealley.com/http://pippym1122.articlealley.com/wine-term-definitions-old-world-and-new-world-959979.html">http://www.articlealley.com/http://pippym1122.articlealley.com/wine-term-definitions-old-world-and-new-world-959979.html</a></div> <div class="author"> <div class="authorBio"></div> </author> </body> </html>

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Wine term definitions: Old World and New World Author: pippym1122 "Old World" and "New World" are perhaps two of the most used terms in wine lexicon. People new to the world of wine frequently express frustration when confronted with these terms, either on a wine bottle, or in a wine tasting. After all, what does each term actually mean? Old World wines refer to wines that come from Europe and The Mediterranean basin, where wine has historically been made to established styles using certain grape varieties and winemaking techniques. Wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne (all France), Rioja (Spain) and Chianti (Italy) are therefore all Old World. The Old World has been making wine (almost) for ever - the Phoenicians, Greeks and Romans establishing the earliest vineyards. New World wines are basically everywhere else! The America's (North and South), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa are all New World wine producers. Winemaking in the New World began in the 16th century (initially in Mexico curiously enough). So how do New World and Old World wines differ in style? In a wine tasting for instance? Well as a general rule of thumb, you would expect New World wines to come from sunnier climates where grapes often ripen with greater ease, resulting in lots of primary fruit aromas and flavours and generally higher alcohol levels. Old World wines conversely generally come from cooler climates, and may have crisper acidity and (comparatively) more austere characteristics. Simple to spot in a blind wine tasting then? Not so unfortunately. In wine we are increasingly seeing what's being called a global taste. In the latter half of the 20th century, winemakers from the Old World and New World started not only to adopt each others techniques and approaches, they also visited, stayed at, took over, and sometimes founded vineyards and wineries in each other's territory. This homogenisation has made the distinctions between Old World and New World wines blurry. In the future expect this homogenisation to continue unabated, as winemakers from across the world adopt best practice from each other and our lines of communication keep on opening up. Who knows, maybe in the future the terms Old World and New World will become obsolete? Pip Martin is the founder of The Wine Adventure. Pip runs International, UK-wide and London wine tasting games & other events for corporate entertainment. Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/http://pippym1122.articlealley.com/wine-term-definitions-old-world-and-new-world-959979.html About the Author:

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