The Old World Vs The New World, What's the Difference?
When it comes to wine, one of the biggest distinctions you'll hear about is between the "Old World" and the "New World." Old World refers to traditional European wine-producing countries like France, Italy, and Spain—places where winemaking has been practiced for centuries. The New World, on the other hand, encompasses regions such as the United States, Australia, Chile, and South Africa, where winemaking has developed more recently. Interestingly, most of the grape varieties grown in the New World actually came from the Old World, brought over by explorers and settlers. But once planted in new climates and soils, these grapes began to develop different flavours, textures, and characteristics, creating a whole new style of wine. So is a short list of our favourite old word varieties and their new world counterparts.
Old World Syrah, primarily from regions like the Northern Rhône in France, is known for its savoury, earthy character with notes of black pepper, olive, and smoked meat, often showing more restraint and structure. In contrast, New World Syrah—especially from places like Australia and California—tends to be riper, fuller-bodied, and fruit-forward, highlighting bold flavours of blackberry, plum, and sweet spice.
Laurent Habrard, Crozes-Hermitage, 2022
Laurent Habrard Crozes-Hermitage 2022 is a classic example of Old World wine, known for its elegance and balance rather than bold fruitiness. It comes from a historic region in France’s Rhône Valley, where the focus is on subtle earthy flavours, fresh acidity, and a smooth, refined finish—perfect if you appreciate wines that feel connected to their place and tradition.
The Pax North Coast Syrah 2022 is a rich, bold red wine bursting with ripe dark fruit flavours like blackberry and plum, layered with a touch of spice and smooth tannins. It’s a great example of the New World style—meaning it’s fruit-forward, approachable, and made to enjoy now, rather than being super traditional or heavy like some Old World wines. Perfect if you’re looking for something flavourful and easy to love!
Sauvignon Blanc from the Old World, such as France's Loire Valley and Bordeaux, is known for its crisp acidity, mineral-driven character, and subtle citrus, grassy, and herbal notes that reflect the terroir. In contrast, New World styles from regions like New Zealand and California are more vibrant and fruit-forward, featuring bold tropical flavours like passion fruit and grapefruit, with pronounced aromatics, zesty acidity, and an expressive finish.
Domaine Thomas, Sancerre 'Le Pierrier', 2022
Domaine Thomas Sancerre ‘Le Pierrier’ 2022 is a crisp, elegant white wine from France’s Loire Valley, known for its zesty citrus, green apple, and subtle flinty minerality. It’s a great example of Old World style—focused more on expressing the vineyard and terroir than bold fruit flavours, giving it a fresh, refined feel that’s super food-friendly and easy to enjoy.
Storm x Indigo, Wild Air Sauvignon Blanc, 2022
The Storm x Indigo Wild Air Sauvignon Blanc 2022 is a fresh, vibrant white wine bursting with zesty citrus, tropical fruit, and a crisp, clean finish. It's a great example of the New World wine style—more fruit-forward, bold, and approachable compared to the earthier, more restrained Old World wines. Perfect for someone who enjoys lively flavours and a modern twist on classic Sauvignon Blanc.
In the Old World, Grenache (Garnacha in Spain) typically showcases earthy, spicy, and herbal notes with moderate alcohol and a lighter body, especially in regions like the Southern Rhône and Aragón. In the New World, particularly in Australia and South Africa, Grenache tends to be richer and fruit-forward, with riper red berry flavours, higher alcohol, and softer tannins due to warmer climates and modern winemaking techniques.
The Rafael Cambra Soplo 2023 is a bright, medium-bodied red with juicy red fruit, gentle spice, and a smooth, earthy finish. It reflects the Old World style with its focus on balance, subtlety, and sense of place—less about bold power, more about elegance and tradition, like a relaxed Spanish countryside in a bottle.
Chasing Rabbits 2023 is a vibrant, fruit-forward wine that bursts with ripe berries and a smooth, easy-going finish. It's a great example of New World wine style—more about bold flavours and drinkability than tradition—making it super approachable for anyone just getting into wine.
In the Old World, particularly the Loire Valley of France, Chenin Blanc is known for its high acidity and versatility, producing wines ranging from dry and crisp (like those from Savennières) to lusciously sweet botrytized styles (like those from Coteaux du Layon). In the New World, especially South Africa, it often shows a riper, fruit-forward profile with tropical fruit, melon, and honeyed notes, sometimes with added richness from oak aging.
Nicolas Reau, Attention Chenin Mechant, 2023
Nicolas Reau’s Attention Chenin Méchant 2023 is a crisp, textured Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley that really leans into the Old World style — meaning it’s all about expressing the place it comes from rather than just bold flavours. It’s got bright acidity, a bit of funk and minerality, and feels more restrained and elegant than flashy, making it a great intro to how traditional European wines tend to let nature do the talking.
Radford Dale, Vinum Chenin, 2022
The Radford Dale Vinum Chenin 2022 is a fresh, vibrant white wine from South Africa that bursts with juicy stone fruit, citrus, and a touch of minerality. It’s a great example of New World wine—bold, fruit-forward, and approachable, yet still made with care and finesse, showing how modern winemakers are reinterpreting classic grapes like Chenin Blanc in exciting new ways.
Old World Pinot Noir, especially from Burgundy, tends to be elegant and earthy, with delicate red fruit notes, bright acidity, and pronounced minerality that reflect its terroir. In contrast, New World Pinot Noir—such as those from California or New Zealand—often exhibits riper fruit flavours, like cherry and plum, with fuller body and softer tannins, shaped by warmer climates and modern winemaking styles.
Andreas Bender, Pinot Noir, 2022
The Andreas Bender Pinot Noir 2022 is a smooth, elegant red with bright cherry and subtle earthy notes—easy to enjoy but layered if you’re paying attention. It reflects the Old World style by focusing more on balance, freshness, and expressing the character of the vineyard, rather than being bold or heavy like many New World Pinots.
The 2023 Novum Pinot Noir is a vibrant, fruit-forward red with juicy cherry and raspberry notes, a touch of spice, and silky smooth tannins. It’s a great example of New World wine—bold, approachable, and made to be enjoyed young, showing off the grape's pure character without heavy oak or aging.
Old World Chardonnay, primarily from regions like Burgundy, France, is typically more restrained and elegant, with higher acidity and flavours of green apple, citrus, and minerality, often influenced by the local terroir. New World Chardonnay, from places like California or Australia, tends to be richer and more fruit-forward, with notes of ripe tropical fruit, vanilla, and butter, often due to warmer climates and oak aging.
Marc Jambon et Fils, Macon, Cuvee Classique, 2023
The Marc Jambon et Fils Mâcon Cuvée Classique 2023 is a crisp, clean white wine from Burgundy, France, with fresh citrus and green apple flavours, and just a touch of minerality. It's a great example of the Old World style—more about elegance and balance than bold flavours, letting the grape and the land it comes from really shine through.
Yabby Lake, Red Claw Chardonnay, 2021
The Yabby Lake Red Claw Chardonnay 2021 is a fresh, vibrant white from Australia’s Mornington Peninsula, bursting with citrus, stone fruit, and a hint of toasty oak. It’s a great example of the New World wine style—fruit-forward, approachable, and made to be enjoyed young, without needing a lot of wine knowledge to appreciate.
There’s a lot more to the old world and the new world than there is on this list. So if you’d like to learn a little more, take a look at our website.