Old
World includes countries that have been making wine for ages, and is basically
most of the European countries: France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, etc.
These have been making wine for much longer than other countries, especially
France, whose wines have been copied/replicated for years.
So,
which countries do we find in the New World? Basically wine producing regions
that came later to quality winemaking. Later, meaning starting in 1960’s and
forward: US (CA, OR, WA, NY, etc), Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile,
Uruguay.
Besides
this geographical distinction, Old World vs New World wines mean different
things regarding wine style, affecting the basic elements in a wine: alcohol,
body, fruit, acidity, sweetness and tannins.
Old
World will usually mean wines with medium to high alcohol, wines with lighter
to medium bodies (with some exceptions), wines with high acidity (and a better
match for food). Wines will show fewer oak notes and usually will feature non
fruity flavors such as leather, herbs, ink, earth, vegetal, floral and mineral
notes, etc. These notes/aromatics happen
for two reasons: less sun and higher fermentation temperatures.
In
the Old world viticulture and vinification is regulated by law, which means
that in order to get the seal of quality of any appellation, a lot of rules
have to be followed regarding: grape variety allowed, maximum yields, aging if
any, minimum and maximum alcohol levels, etc.
New
World wines will mean wines with more than 13% alcohol, bodies that are usually
big, acidity will tend to be low or balanced. Wines will be very forward, with
a lot of oak notes (from new oak barrels) and so much fruit, that jump out of
the glass to say hello to you. Viticulture and Vinification is not regulated by
law, so winemakers are free to grow whatever grapes they want, and enjoy a lot
of freedom regarding the wine they want to make. These wines are better drunk
on their own or with food as big as they are. Their limitations will be more
regarding to climate. Let’s face it, certain grapes prefer warmer climates than
others, and sometimes the choice of grape is just a commercial one, some sell
better than others.
Fermentations
in the New World happen at lower temperatures to preserve the fruit aromatics
of these wines. Of course, there are exceptions to these rules and let’s not
forget about global warming and vintages… the weather of one year can be better
or worse than the weather of the following year, and that can affect ripeness.
In future issues of my newsletter, I will recommend wines for you to taste these differences within the
same variety.
But
February is the month of Valentine’s Day, so I decided to recommend a few wines
for this holiday to share with people you care!
Bubblies:
French
Champagnes: Pol Roger NV (my favorite) $45, Pol Roger Rich NV $60 (off dry and
a better match for chocolates)
Veuve
Clicquot NV $50
Roederer
Estate NV, $25 (CA)
Zonin
Prosecco NV, $15
White:
Hugel
Pinot Blanc Cuvee “Les Amours” 2014 $15
Reds:
Veramonte
Pinot Noir 2015 (Casablanca, Chile) $12
El
Coto de Rioja “Imaz” Reserva 2013 $20
Ravenswood
Zinfandel Old Vines 2015 $10
Ports to match with chocolates:
Sandeman
Fine Ruby Port $ 17
Fonseca
Finest Reserve Bin 27 Port $16
Taylor
Fladgate LBV 2012 $20
Cheers!
Santé, Salud
Silvina
