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Spirit Academy › Wine › Wine Regions of the New World

Wine Regions of the New World

New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Australia: signature grapes, key regions, and label rules that differ from the U.S.

Level 32 min readUpdated October 2026 Wine shelf

In one sip

New World wine usually means wine from outside Europe's traditional regions. Labels lead with the grape, regions are young, and a few grapes have become national signatures.

Where it started

Chile's Cabernet Sauvignon arrived from France in the mid-19th century.1 South Africa bred Pinotage in 1925.2 Marlborough planted its first Sauvignon Blanc in 1975 and put New Zealand on the world stage in the 1980s.34 New Zealand passed its Geographical Indications law in November 2016.5

Where and how it's made

New Zealand. Marlborough holds almost 31,000 hectares, about two thirds of the national total, and Sauvignon Blanc is now the most planted variety.43 Pinot Noir grows in the cooler regions: Wairarapa, Marlborough, Nelson, North Canterbury and Central Otago.6 Central Otago's flagship is Pinot Noir; Gibbston is its highest subregion.7

South Africa. A grape may be named on the label at 85 percent or more.8 Chenin Blanc, called Steen, is the most widely planted variety; Pinotage is the local red.92 Cap Classique is the traditional-method sparkling. cremant-and-other-sparkling →

Chile. Maipo is known as the birthplace of the country's renowned reds; Cachapoal is known for Carménère, Cabernet and Merlot.1

Argentina. Malbec is the most planted red, Bonarda second.10

Australia. Wines of South Africa says the largest production of Shiraz is now found in Australia;2 the OIV's variety survey instead shows France with more Syrah vineyard in 2015, 64,000 hectares to Australia's 40,000.12 Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay occupy almost 60 percent of Australia's vineyard area.12

How to taste it

Taste Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc next to a Loire one to feel the difference in pungency, then a Central Otago Pinot against a Burgundy. Pair Malbec with grilled beef and Chenin with spicy food.

Styles and what the label means

  • Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc — passionfruit and capsicum.3
  • Central Otago Pinot Noir — fragrant, structured.7
  • Wine of Origin — South Africa's certification. 85 percent rule for grapes.8
  • Shiraz — Syrah under its Australian name.11

Words to know

Tap a term to get asked about it in The Tasting Room.

GISteenWine of Origin
GI — Geographical Indication.
Steen — Chenin Blanc in South Africa.
Wine of Origin — South Africa's origin scheme.

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Sources

  1. Wines of Chile — Winegrowing regions accessed 2026-10-12
  2. Wines of South Africa — Red-wine varieties accessed 2026-10-12
  3. New Zealand Winegrowers — Sauvignon Blanc accessed 2026-10-12
  4. New Zealand Winegrowers — Marlborough accessed 2026-10-12
  5. New Zealand Winegrowers — Geographical Indications accessed 2026-10-12
  6. New Zealand Winegrowers — Pinot Noir accessed 2026-10-12
  7. New Zealand Winegrowers — Central Otago accessed 2026-10-12
  8. Wines of South Africa — The role of cultivar in Wine of Origin accessed 2026-10-12
  9. Wines of South Africa — White-wine varieties accessed 2026-10-12
  10. Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (Argentina) accessed 2026-10-12
  11. Wine Institute — Syrah fact sheet accessed 2026-10-12
  12. OIV — Distribution of the world's grapevine varieties (Focus 2017) accessed 2026-10-12

Photo: Matthias Bethke, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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