Old 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.
Clone
A clone is an exact genetic copy of a vine, propagated asexually through cutting and grafting.
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".
GSM
GSM stands for a popular red wine blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre, originating the Rhône Valley in France.
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.
Joven
Joven is a Spanish wine classification meaning "young". It refers to wines bottled and released within 3-6 months after harvest, with little to no oak aging. Joven wines are fresh and vibrant, offering a light bodied style, with high acidity, minimal tannins and fruit flavors.
Vintage
The term "vintage" refers to the year in which the grapes of a particular wine were harvested. A wine's vintage reflects the unique weather and growing conditions of that season, heavily influencing the flavor, quality and character of the wine.
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.