New World, term much used in the wine world, initially somewhat patronizingly but with increasing admiration in the last quarter of the 20th century as the New World’s share of global exports rose from 3 to 23%, to distinguish the colonies established as a result of European exploration, beginning with some of the longer voyages in the 15th century. As such it contrasts with the old world of Europe and the other Mediterranean countries where the vine was widely established by the 4th century. The differences between the Old and New Worlds of wine have been steadily eroded as those in the Old World have increasingly adopted technical innovation and those in the New World are increasingly exposed to the better aspects of tradition and further develop the notion of regionality.
