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Last Updated: Mar 12, 2026Old World
Old World
The term “Old World’ refers to wines produced in traditional European regions, primarily France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Germany. These regions have winemaking traditions that span centuries, often regulated and family led. Old World wines are typically higher in acidity, with lower alcohol, earthy and savory flavors. They are frequently labeled by their specific region or AOC (e.g., Bordeaux, Chianti, Mosel), rather than grape variety.
See Also
Jeroboam
A Jeroboam is a large format wine bottle that holds either 3 liters (4 standard 750 ml bottles) in Champagne and Burgundy, or 4.5 liters (6 standard bottles) in Bordeaux.
Climate
Climate refers to the long term weather patterns, including temperature, sunlight, wind and rainfall of a particular region which directly influence grape growth and decides the wine's style.
Microclimate
Microclimate refers to the unique, localized temperature, humidity, sunlight and wind within a specific area of a vineyard different from the surrounding region. A microclimate allows for distinct and complex flavor profiles within a single vineyard.
Oenophile
An oenophile is a passionate lover of wine, someone who appreciates, studies and often collects wines based on their region, production methods and varietal. Beyond wine drinking, they are interested in the stories behind the labels, often possessing refined tasting skills, able to identify subtle tasting notes. Oenophiles may be wine professional like sommeliers or wine merchants, or passionate hobbyists who frequently attend wine tastings and join wine clubs.
GSM
GSM stands for a popular red wine blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre, originating the Rhône Valley in France.
Clone
A clone is an exact genetic copy of a vine, propagated asexually through cutting and grafting.
Digestif
A digestif is an alcoholic beverage served after a meal with the aim of aiding digestion and soothing the stomach. They can be fortified wines like Port, Sherry and Vermouth, bitter herbal liqueurs (amari) or cocktails that contain any of these ingredients.
Terroir
Terroir is a French term used to describe the complete environmental, geographical and human factors affecting a wine grape's growth. It includes farming practices, soil, climate and topography, often described as a "sense of place".
