Jancis Robinson, an award-winning wine writer and the first non-trade Master of Wine, teams up with Oz Clarke, the former World Wine Tasting Champion, for an enticing debate on Old World versus New World wines. They share humorous tales of their first wine experiences and discuss how tradition meets modern innovation in the industry. The conversation tackles sustainability in wine production, the evolution of wine philosophies, and the significance of vine age while participants enjoy curated wine tastings from both worlds.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Wine Revelation
Jancis Robinson's wine journey began at Oxford.
A boyfriend's father's generosity led her to discover fine wine, like Chambon Mousini Les Amours 1959.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Wine Encounter
Oz Clarke humorously recounts his first wine experience at age three.
A damson wine incident during a family picnic sparked his lifelong love for wines with similar flavors.
insights INSIGHT
Shifting Wine Dynamics
In the past, Old World and New World wines were distinguished by tradition versus technology.
Now, technological advancements have leveled the playing field, making technical perfection achievable globally.
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The World Atlas of Wine is a definitive reference work that explores the global wine scene. The eighth edition, co-authored by Hugh Johnson and Jancis Robinson, includes 416 pages, 230 maps, and updated information on climate change and financial aspects of wine. It provides detailed insights into wine regions, grape varieties, and production statistics, making it an essential resource for wine enthusiasts.
France, Italy, Spain, Germany: these are the ancient Old World wine-growing regions of Europe, where continuity and history reign supreme. California, Australia, South Africa and Chile: these are some of the New World areas, where technology and science trump tradition. Old World wines tend to be light-bodied, with herbal, mineral and floral components. New World wines, thanks to warmer climates, are generally full-bodied, fruity and higher in alcohol. But which wines are the greater? To battle it out, Intelligence Squared brought together two of the UK’s most celebrated wine experts for this major debate. Fighting for the tradition and terroir of the Old World was Jancis Robinson, wine correspondent of the Financial Times and the first person outside the wine trade to qualify as a Master of Wine. Fighting for the modernising spirit of the New World was Oz Clarke, the last winner of the World Wine Tasting Championship, and the youngest ever British Wine Taster of the Year. The debate was chaired by Amelia Singer, TV presenter and former wine writer for Waitrose Food magazine. Plus there were questions from the audience from renowned wine experts Steven Spurrier and Hugh Johnson. Each member of the audience was given two glasses of wine, provided by Waitrose & Partner: Old World: Castello Colle Massari, Montecucco Rosso Riserva (Tuscany) New World: Saint Clair, Hawkes Bay Syrah, New Zealand (Hawke's Bay)
Intelligence Squared 