Intelligence Squared Old World vs New World: The Great Wine Debate
Mar 5, 2023
In this lively debate, Jancis Robinson, a Master of Wine and Financial Times columnist, champions Old World wines, while Oz Clarke, a celebrated presenter and author, defends the New World. They explore the evolution of winemaking practices, share personal anecdotes that sparked their wine passions, and discuss innovative regions like New Zealand’s Gimlet Gravels. The conversation balances tradition with modernity, sustainability, and the subjective nature of wine quality, leading to surprising insights and preferences in the world of wine.
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Jancis's Wine Awakening
- Jancis Robinson's wine passion started at Oxford.
- A boyfriend's father funded extravagant meals, introducing her to fine wines like Chambon Mousini Les Amours 1959.
Oz's Early Wine Memory
- Oz Clarke's first wine experience was at age three, drinking damson wine at a family picnic.
- This early encounter, though interrupted by his father, sparked a lifelong love for damson-flavored wines.
Terroir as the Differentiator
- The old world and new world used to be distinguished by tradition vs technology.
- Today, both leverage technology; the key differentiator is terroir, where old-world wines showcase established, superior geography.