Wine Box Experience - Dustin Mangas

Old World vs. New World: Revisited

As we march ahead on your personalized wine journey, what better time than ever to recap the terms of “Old World” and “New World” wines. What’s the difference? Why are they even defined so specifically to begin with? Frankly, what’s all the wine about? 

The terms Old World and New World wines refer to the regions where wines are produced, but they also represent distinct styles, traditions, and winemaking philosophies. Old World wines come from historic wine-producing countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Germany, where winemaking traditions date back centuries. Basically, anything from Europe. These wines are typically more terroir-driven (wine vocab word meaning all the environmental factors that go into the grape production like soil, climate, location, etc.). They emphasize structure, balance, earthiness, and acidity over fruitiness. They often have more restrained alcohol levels, higher tannins/dryness, and flavors influenced by climate and soil rather than winemaking techniques.

New World wines, on the other hand, come from regions like the United States, Australia, South America, and South Africa (not Europe), where winemaking is often more experimental and modern. These wines tend to be fruit-forward, bold, and expressive, with higher alcohol, riper flavors, and a richer mouthfeel due to warmer climates. New World producers also embrace innovation, using techniques like oak aging and controlled fermentation to enhance flavors. While these stylistic differences are generalizations, today’s winemakers are increasingly blending both traditions, meaning you can find Old World-style wines in New World regions and vice versa. Let’s look at what you’ll be trying side-by-side to understand these concepts better.

First, we go to the old cause you have to start with the original. In your box you’ll be exploring the same grape, Cabernet Sauvignon, but in two styles. We head to France’s Bordeaux region for the Chateau Batailley Pauillac 5eme Grand Cru Classe. When it comes to pure expressions of this grape there is no better place to explore than Bordeaux. Here you’ll find Cab Sauv showcasing its signature profile of vibrancy, bold flavors and depth of character. When you drink this wine, try to consider how the wine brings out a tartness and astringency on the palate which allows for it to benefit from pairing with food. The combination of food brings down the acidity and bitterness/tannins in the wine while cleansing the palate to prepare it for the next bite of food. Perfect pairing partner.

In contrast, for a new world style of a Cab Sauv, we head to United States’ Napa Valley region for the Ghost Block Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard Yountville. Here we find a wine with a much richer profile than its European counterpart. Being from a warmer, valley floor region the intensity of flavors of the grape comes through more. This wine has a much richer round style to it with the fruit being the dominating characteristic. This allows for the wine to be enjoyed on its own. Although every wine always benefits from pairing it with food, the New World approach for a Cab Sauv can just as well be enjoyed as a “pop & pour” selection. Which style did you like more? 

This is always a fun experiment to try with wine. It can be done with almost any varietal of grape. Trying them side-by-side allows you to define the characteristics of each style in the moment while also showcasing how wines taste differently when you pair them with food. So are you a New World modernist or an Old World traditionalist? I don’t think you can go wrong either way. Cheers!