The Wine Flyer doesn’t discriminate against old world and new world wine – the wine store knows that it’s not always about sommelier-defined characteristics when it comes to drinking wine, it’s about how that wine makes you feel.
That being said, if you’d like to know a little more about old world and new world wine so you can better select your next bottle, you’ve certainly come to the right place. Plus, The Wine Flyer has a brilliant selection of old world and new world wines that we’ll show you for your choosing later on in this guide.
So, read on to find out why a sangiovese-based chianti has to be produced in Tuscany and why an Argentinian malbec tastes as juicy as it does, and if you’d like to repeat a few of these facts at your next dinner party, we’re sure you’ll credit the ever-knowledgeable olive and The Wine Flyer!
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What is old world wine?
Old world wine prioritises tradition and the role of terroir. The former refers to the long history of a wine region – for example, a wine style could’ve been made for centuries by small winemakers, and it could’ve been developed over generations by trial and error for a particular purpose, such as a table wine. Terroir refers to the geography and unique characteristics of a place, and, for this reason, old world wines are labelled by their region rather than their grape.
What countries are old world wines from?
Old world wine comes from countries with long-established winemaking traditions, so you won’t be surprised to find countries such as France, Italy and Spain on the list.
What is new world wine?
New world wine, in comparison, prioritises science and the role of the winemaker, and it’s led more so by the consumer instead of the wine’s purpose. New world wine is created to meet the tastes of contemporary wine drinkers who are more likely to have a standalone glass of wine to drink.
Both quantity and quality of new world wine has increased since the 1970s and you’ll often find new world wines in countries like the United Kingdom and North America but it’s not likely you’ll find many new world wines in centuries-old wine-making countries like France and Italy.
What countries are new world wines from?
New world wine is created in countries like the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Chile. As these countries have warmer climates, the grapes make the wine more full-bodied with a higher alcohol content.
What are the main differences between old world and new world wines?
There are four key differences between old world and new world wines, which we’ve touched on above, and these include flavour profiles, labelling, tradition and general winemaking philosophy.
The flavour profiles refer to the climates the grapes are grown in, as new world wine is usually grown in warmer climates so will have a fruitier taste. Old world wine is labelled according to its region, whereas new world wine is labelled according to its grape.
As for winemaking philosophy, the two differ quite significantly. Old world wine leans into tradition whereas new world wine is more innovative as it’s led by what the consumer wants. Whereas new world wine can be a little more experimental, old world wine is led by its terroir and purpose – for example, adapting techniques over generations which suit a particular vine growing area to produce a table wine.
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Best old world wines to try from The Wine Flyer
Collezione di Paolo Chianti
Old world wine like this chianti is defined by its terroir and tradition – it can only be called chianti if it’s created in the Chianti region of Tuscany, and it often has sangiovese grapes. The Collezione di Paolo Chianti is a vintage 2022 bottle and it has juicy, red fruit flavours.
Available from:
The Wine Flyer (£12.99 and collect up to 65 Avios)
Campillo Rias Baixas Albariño
Campillo Rias Baixas Albariño is from the old world wine country Spain. The vintage 2023 albariño is from Rias Baixas in Spain and it is characterised by the wine’s fruity notes of apple, apricot and citrus, and it has jasmine and orange blossom notes which mean this wine has a medium finish.
Available from:
The Wine Flyer (£19.99 and collect up to 100 Avios)
Château Durfort-Vivens
If you’re looking for a more premium wine for your next gathering, particularly if you’re planning on serving a selection of cheeses or red meat, then look no further than this 2019 bottle of Château Durfort-Vivens. This bottle is a second-growth Margaux estate wine sourced from younger wines, and it’s aged for 16 months in a combination of clay amphorae and French oak barrels – the final product is a remarkably fresh wine with ripe black fruit aromas.
Available from:
The Wine Flyer (£50.99 and collect up to 255 Avios)
PEMO Pecorino Terre di Chieti
We love the fresh taste of this vintage 2024 PEMO Pecorino Terre di Chieti from Abruzzo in Italy, known for its citrus, peach and sea salt notes which give the wine a lively taste that is sure to transport you to the sea no matter where you are.
Available from:
The Wine Flyer (£11.99 and collect up to 60 Avios)
Best new world wines to try from The Wine Flyer
Malbec Avanti
This vintage 2023 Malbec Avanti is produced in San Juan, Argentina. True to new world wine form, the palate is full bodied and bursting with fruity flavours like blackcurrants, blackberries, black cherries and violets. You’ll also notice notes of chocolate and coffee, which are there from oak ageing. None of these flavours are overpowering, however, and it’s an easy drinking wine.
Available from:
The Wine Flyer (£13.99 and collect up to 140 Avios)
Bristed Brothers Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Like a lot of new world wine, this Bristed Brothers Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is a real crowd pleaser. From New Zealand, the wine delivers a vibrant profile of citrus and tropical fruits, as well as fresh herbal notes and a refreshing finish. The Bristed Brothers Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is great on its own but a glass wouldn’t go amiss with seafood or a creamy risotto.
Available from:
The Wine Flyer (£13.99 and collect up to 70 Avios)
De Bortoli Chill Bill Sparkling Red
A red wine which is sparkling and best served chilled? That’s the beauty of new world wine. The De Bortoli Chill Bill Sparkling Red is, like the name suggests, best enjoyed chilled, and this spritzy wine has red fruit and floral undertones. As for the gorgeous deep purple colour, this is a result of a blend of tyrian, shiraz and other varietals.
Available from:
The Wine Flyer (£11.99 and collect up to 60 Avios)
Excelsior Calcrete Chardonnay
While Stellenbosch is known for being the home of the pinotage grape, this Excelsior Calcrete Chardonnay is crafted entirely from chardonnay grapes. This bottle is crisp and unoaked, and it’s a reflection of its terrior – you’ll find refreshing notes of green apple, citrus and white flowers as the terrior is cool and precise.
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