Find your wine style....Old World vs. New World!

What does is mean when you hear "New World" & "Old World" wines??  By definition, we can take a look at the history of wine making: which countries have been producing wine for over a  hundred years, and which have come around in the last 50 years.

Old World: France, Italy, Spain, Germany

New World: United States, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile

We can also take a look at wine making methods.  The Old World countries adhere to very strict government regulations (i.e. AOC in France, DOCG in Italy, DOC in Spain).  Basically, the terrior (grape/soil/climate/culture) is the "artist" in crafting what you have in the bottle.  In the New World, our artist is the winery/winemaker.  They're able to have more freedom in crafting their bottle.  You have less major flaws from vintage to vintage in the New World; a winemaker can "fix" a bad vintage.  If Bordeaux was too cool, and was considerable rainy...well, they're stuck!

We ALSO hear a lot about flavor profile.  If a wine is "dirty, earthy, or like sweaty sock", we say that is smells very Old World.  Conversely, if we get a lot of "fruit and oak" on the nose, we classify it as New World.

Basically, these definitions build a wall in the wine world, and create confusion.  If a friend hands you a glass of wine and says,  "Try this. It's stinky, dirty, earthy, and smells like fresh cow manure.  You're going to love it!"  Your first reply, "umm, I'll pass, but thanks..."  Hence, why more Millennial consumers choose New World wines!  I came across an article in Food & Wine magazine (January 2010), and thought it was the perfect way for newer wine drinkers to decipher what kind of wine they might like.  It goes something like this:

"Find your Wine Style"

----Which do you drink?----

1) whole milk - go for richer, more full-bodied wines - California Chardonnay, for instance

2) skim milk - you'll like lighter-style wines, such as Chablis

----Which juice do you prefer?----

1) grapefruit juice - you'll like things with high acidity - for whites that means varieties like Sauv. Blanc

2) orange juice - you'll prefer sweeter, riper flavors, so stick to Chardonnay, or Viognier

----Which would you rather have on a steak?----

1) cracked black pepper - try spicy Old World reds, like Syrah, Grenache, or Mourvedre

2) bearnaise sauce - you want a lush, smooth California Merlot

----Which sounds more appealing?----

1) black truffles - you're a fan of earthy, funky, umami flavors.  Drink Pinot Noir from Bungundy

2) blackberries - you love fruit. New World reds are your thing. Australian Shiraz, or California Zin

I'm not saying this is the formula to finding the wine that suits you.  I think it gives a good sense of how we can relate everyday food to our wine preferences.  Ultimately, trust your own pallet, but don't be close minded!  Once in awhile, take a risk, and try that "stinky" wine!