Whilst not militantly 'old world', I certainly prefer:
French: Pinot Noir, St Emilion, Vacqueyras, Lirac - the chateauneuf du pape has been shit recently and those two last lads are it's classier cousins in my opinion. If the budget will stretch or a bargain can be found, a Nuits Saint Georges is yer only man. Try also 'Chateau Loudenne' from the Medoc - it's exquisite. My favourite is a pure Grenache though if you can find it. I got some in Provence earlier this year. Fab!

Italian: Primitivo, Barolo, Masi, the occasional Montepulciano D'Abruzzo and a Chianti as long as it's 'appelation controlle' or whatever the Italian equivalent is and 'reserva'.

Spanish: Decent Tempranillo, Rioja, 'Gran Sangre De Toro' - need to learn more about Spain actually. Their 'Garnacha' can be decent.

The Chileans do a decent cab sauv or merlot if you're stuck. Try also the 'Carmenere' - I read it's a distant cousin of the Merlot grape and the Chileans are claiming it as their own.

The Argentinians do a decent Malbec.

The Yanks do a decent Zinfandel.

The Kiwis and Rumanians both do a half-decent Pinot Noir.

I'm not a ponce, honest. I'm as working class as they come. :)


EDIT: A personal rule of thumb is to avoid blends as much as possible. Sometimes it works but only if they've been doing it for generations IMO.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Mon 26 Jan 2009, 14:25, Reply)