No, New Zealand is considered a New World wine-producing country, not an Old World one, because it's outside the traditional European regions (like France, Italy, Spain) where winemaking originated, even though its vines were brought from there. New World wines, including those from New Zealand, are known for being more fruit-forward, often labelled by grape variety, and less restricted by strict traditional rules compared to Old World wines, says this article from The Vincent and this article from RIEDEL Australia.
Old World refers to countries in Europe, the Mediterranean, and some in the Middle East. This includes: France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Lebanon, Israel, Croatia, Georgia, Romania, Hungary and Switzerland.
New World wines are those wines produced outside the traditional winegrowing areas of Europe and the Middle East, in particular from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Japan (primarily Yamanashi), Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States (primarily California).
Four varieties - Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay - account for over 95% of wine production, but New Zealand also excels in the production of an increasing range of popular styles and varieties – with Riesling, Syrah, and Bordeaux Blends leading the way, and everything from Albariño to Zinfandel ...
New world wine regions refers to all of the wine growing regions outside of Europe. Key new world wine regions include California, Washington, Oregon, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Old World wines tend to be lighter-bodied, lower in alcohol, have brighter acidity, and show more earth-driven flavors. New World wines are usually fuller-bodied, higher in alcohol, have lower acidity, and are much riper on the palate.
How does the New Zealand wine industry compare to other countries? New Zealand is the 18th largest producer of wine globally. And whereas Western European wine production has shrunk in the past decade, NZ wine production has increased by 13.5% in the same period.
Producing just one percent of the world's wine, New Zealand proves it's not a question of how much, but how. The country's winemakers are among the world's most sustainable, with 96% of the country's vineyards accredited by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.
The "75 rule" for U.S. wine labels means that if a specific grape variety (like Chardonnay or Merlot) is named, at least 75% of the wine must be made from that grape, allowing for up to 25% of other complementary grapes, according to TTB regulations. It's part of a broader {75-85-95 rule} for labeling: 75% for grape, 85% for appellation (like Napa Valley), and 95% for vintage year.
New Zealand has joined the ranks of Burgundy and California as a world class producer of pinot noir. These excellent wines stand out for their haunting perfume and pure-fruit flavours. Of all the grape varieties, pinot noir shows the most distinctive regional diversity.
Old World wine refers primarily to wine made in Europe but can also include other regions of the Mediterranean basin with long histories of winemaking such as North Africa and the Near East.
Place matters. So do decisions in the vineyard and winery. New Zealand's cool climate, long ripening period, and thoughtful winemaking amplify clarity, intensity, and what many people describe - often without knowing why - as "energy”.
New World wine countries include North America, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and China—countries that adopted grape varieties and winemaking techniques from the Old World. New World and Old World can also refer to the style and flavor of a wine.
According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the largest wine producing countries are Italy, France, Spain, the United States and Argentina (juices and musts excluded).
There are literally hundreds of wine grapes, but to get a really strong start in understanding quality wine, get familiar with what I call “the big six” wine grapes: Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay for whites; and Pinot Noir, Merlot/Cabernet (which are very similar and often blended together), and Syrah aka ...
This white grape has a long, noble history, which starts with its Old World roots in Burgundy. Some of most coveted, and therefore expensive, Chardonnays in the world come from this region in France. Chardonnay is also one of three base grapes for Champagne, and it's the sole grape in Blanc de blancs Champagne.
Experts say a a good maximum amount of wine for women would be a 5 oz glass of wine, and for men two 5 oz glasses of wine, no more than several times a week. Experts strongly advise women against having more than 3 drinks of wine per day, and for men, 4 drinks of wine per day.
The 20-minute wine rule is a simple guideline to bring wines to their optimal serving temperature: put red wines in the fridge for about 20 minutes to cool slightly (as room temp is too warm), and take white wines out of the fridge for about 20 minutes to let them warm up a bit (as too cold masks flavors). This helps unlock the full aromas and flavors, as serving wines too hot or too cold mutes their complexity.
Beer is more commonly associated with belly fat due to its higher calorie and carbohydrate content, while red wine is linked to lower visceral fat and waist-to-hip ratios.
According to Bob Campbell MW (Master of Wine), New Zealand has built a reputation for producing the world's best Sauvignon Blanc. Its unique style is more pungently fruity than any other wine from the grape variety.
Now, the region's varieties have expanded to include Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Chardonnay.
The Cost of Alcohol in New Zealand
Buying alcohol from a supermarket or bottle shop is cheaper. A six-pack of local beer will cost around £8-£12, and you can find decent bottles of New Zealand wine starting at £7-£15.
New Zealand offers a variety of drinks, including full-bodied pinot noir and light and fruity sauvignon blanc wines. Craft beers and ciders are also gaining popularity, and non-alcoholic options like Lemon & Paeroa (L&P), feijoa juices, and kombucha creations can be found throughout the country.
The unmistakable qualities of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc include its zingy acidity and aromas of grapefruit, pineapple and lime zest, freshly mowed grass and bell pepper that can be hard to resist, and even harder to forget.
Nearly 90% of total production is exported, chiefly to the United States, Britain and Australia, reaching a record NZ$1.92 billion in export revenue in 2020.