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
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.
GSM
GSM stands for a popular red wine blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre, originating the Rhône Valley in France.
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.
Clone
A clone is an exact genetic copy of a vine, propagated asexually through cutting and grafting.
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.
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".
Earthy
"Earthy" in wine refers to savory aromas and flavors similar to soil, forest floor, dried leaves, wet rocks, mushrooms, or truffles. Some common grapes that display earthiness in their wines are Burgundy Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Tempranillo.
Sommelier
A sommelier is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional, normally working in fine dining establishments, who specializes in all aspects of wine service, food pairing and cellar management.