What can we say about the differences between old and new-world winemaking?
In some places, winemaking techniques haven’t been changed for centuries. Vignerons still follow the same methods to produce the world’s favorite ‘grape juice. With the advent of ‘New World winemaking regions’ in countries such as America, Argentina, and our own celebrated Australia, modern winemakers have chosen to experiment with new methods in order to create something truly unique.
While you might think that the old world and the new world are divided based on how the wines from a certain region are produced, the division actually comes down to the areas with a strong wine culture.
For thousands of years, regions like Bordeaux, Bourguignonne, Tuscany, and Basque Country in Northern Spain have produced wine. The Barossa Valley, and even Victoria’s Yarra Valley, is full of new-world winemakers who are trying out new blends and putting new twists on old classics.
We have many long-lasting and valued partnerships with Australian wine tours. These include many of the Yarra Valley’s most prestigious wineries.
Steel’s Gate Wines
Steels Gate, a boutique winery and vineyard located in Steels Creek, Victoria, Australia, is an amazing place to visit. National Park almost surrounds this 82-acre estate. It grows Chardonnay grapes and Pinot Noir grapes on 6 acres of vines. The majority were planted in the 1970s.
New World Wine and Old World Methods
Matt and Brad, from Steel’s Gate, have been managing the viticulture of their Home Block Vineyard for nine years. They specialize in Pinot Noir varieties such as Chardonnay, Blanc de Blancs, Pinot/Chardonnay sparkling, Pinot Noir Roses, Cabernet Sauvignons, Shirazs, Semillons, etc. Matt and Brad also manage the vineyard’s viticulture.
” A premium wine begins with a vineyard that is well-managed.”
Steel’s Gate has produced some of the best New World wines for almost a decade. From their intense and fruity Home Block Pinot Noir to a traditional Blanc de Blancs.
Geography and Taste
The geography of a wine is important, but the tradition of the winemaker also has a big impact on the type of craftsmanship and the style of wine they want to produce.
Both of these styles are known as “Old World” or “New World”.
Old Vs. new
The “Old World style” is associated with traditional wine-growing areas in Europe, such as France and Italy. These regions are known for their long history of wine production. Their style of wine is often elegant and refined, which is sought after by global wine connoisseurs.
Wines produced in “the New World” come from countries with a relatively new winemaking industry. North America, Australia, and New Zealand are places with a history of winemaking that dates back only 100-200 years. Most often, the climates of these wine-producing countries differ from those in Europe. These ‘New Worlds’ usually experience warmer, longer summers, which result in fruit that is riper and more varietal.
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Old World winemaking is steeped in tradition and evokes images that are reminiscent of traditional, age-old wine practices. Because of the climate, the varietal expression can be subtle, so the winemaker concentrates more on creating a wine with wonderful texture, structure, and body.
Old World style wines are characterized by softer, subdued flavor profiles of oak to balance out the subtler expressions of varietals. The winemaker’s understanding of blending theory is what defines these wines. They aim to achieve a seamless transition from the start to the finish.
The New World is blessed with a warm climate, so winemakers will tend to focus more on the primary fruit flavors that Mother Nature has delivered. To ensure balance, winemakers will use stronger oak influences to create wines with a fuller body than their European counterparts.
The Shiraz style, which is so popular in Australia, the big and bold Shiraz, exemplifies these factors.
Newer Isn’t Always Better
It’s up to you and your taste buds to decide how to drink your wine.
Old World wines are designed to be cellared, which allows the development of texture and palate structure over time. Some consider this approach to be the best way to create exceptional wines, especially the Cabernet Sauvignon that lived a long time in Bordeaux, France.
New World wines, on the other hand, have a more generous fruit character that many drinkers prefer to consume young. New World wines are often robust and full-bodied and can be enjoyed right away.
Since the New World’s rise, there have been heated debates about which world is superior, what qualities are redeemable, and which can be tweaked or improved. Winemakers and wine enthusiasts will continue to enjoy the richness of both worlds and the approachability they offer.
