ADVERTISING: Advertorial — The Great Wine Debate: New World vs. Old World

The wine world is broadly divided into two camps: New World and Old World. As a long-time wine enthusiast, I'm often asked about the differences between these two categories. Here's my take on the great wine debate.

New World wines hail from younger wine regions like the United States, Australia, Chile, Argentina, and South Africa. These areas started producing wine relatively recently, within the past 400 years. Unbound by centuries of tradition, New World winemakers are free to innovate. They often eagerly adopt modern winemaking technologies like stainless steel tanks, commercial yeasts, temperature-controlled fermentation, and gravity-flow production to craft vibrant, approachable wines with consistent flavors year after year.

Popular New World grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, known for its full body, firm tannins and notes of black currant, cedar and tobacco; Sauvignon Blanc, showing racy acidity and aromas of grapefruit, passionfruit and green pepper; Chardonnay, featuring flavors of apple, citrus and buttered toast; and Merlot, a soft, supple red often described as the “gateway wine” for newcomers.

In contrast, Old World wines hail from traditional powerhouse regions like France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Portugal. Some of these winemaking regions date back over 2,000 years. Generation after generation has perfected the craft, passing down time-honored techniques like hand harvesting grapes at peak ripeness and using wild, ambient yeasts for spontaneous fermentation. Barrel aging in oak is also common. The emphasis is on showcasing terroir — the unique characteristics imparted by factors like soil composition, elevation, slope orientation, and microclimate.

Iconic Old World grapes include Pinot Noir, the finicky “heartbreak grape” that yields perfumed cherry and earth notes; Sangiovese, the principal red grape of Chianti showing flavors of sour cherry, violet and leather; Nebbiolo, boasting rose, tar and fading autumn leaves in Barolo and Barbaresco; Riesling, capable of startling acidity with lime, petrol and honeyed richness; and Tempranillo, the soul of Spanish Rioja and Ribera del Duero with aromas of strawberry, tobacco leaf, and cured leather.

Of course, the line between the New and Old World is increasingly blurred. Progressive Old World producers are adopting modern techniques while New World winemakers seek to highlight terroir. Australia boasts its own “New Old World'' regions like the Hunter Valley, where wines marry both sensibilities. At the end of the day, winemaking styles vary as widely as the people behind each bottle.

Rather than aligning with one camp, I urge fellow enthusiasts to taste broadly and judge each wine on its own merits. There are standout wines from both origins. I say taste widely, keep an open mind, and drink what you enjoy. Life is too short for wine snobbery. The most important thing is finding wines that make you happy, whether they're from fresh young winemakers in Chile or century-old chateaux in France. The wine world has plenty to offer all types of curious imbibers. Appreciate both traditions while remembering that, at the end of the day, the most important thing is enjoying the wine in your glass no matter its origin. The wine world has plenty to offer all types of curious imbibers.

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Laura Olson is co-owner of The Dinner Party along with her partner, Joe Petersen. You can also follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop or visit www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.