This document provides an overview of wines from the New World, including their history, production methods, and key regions. It begins with general characteristics of New World wines compared to Old World wines. Notable points include New World wines often featuring single varietals, riper fruit flavors, and simpler packaging and marketing. The document then covers the timeline of earliest plantings in various New World regions. It discusses the climate and technology advantages New World producers have relative to Europe. Key regions covered include South America (Argentina, Chile, Uruguay), North America (United States, Canada), South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. For each region, important details are provided on history, regulations, and examples of producers and wines tasted
2. 2 Wines of the New World Some generalisations: More single varietals; fewer blends Often a simplicity of nose, palate and label Riper fruit, lower acids and softer tannins often make NW wines more accessible to Younger generation likely to be introduced to wine via New World products Since 1980s widely available in UK In your face simplicity v. complexity and subtlety of Old World
3. 3 ‘New’ World wine timeline 1522 Mexico 1550 Chile 1655 Cape of Good Hope 1788 Australia (Botany Bay) 1819 New Zealand
4. 4 Wine making Climate advantages over Europe’s northern vineyards Technical know-how frequently superior to European winemakers Controlled cold fermentation, often in stainless steel, a necessity Cultured yeasts, High-tech approach Irrigation common
12. 12 Regulation Simpler than in Europe More like trading standards approach to authenticity and integrity Based on provenance of grapes and wine, not on methods of viticulture and viniculture
13. 13 Wine 1 Neblina Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, 2010 Central Valley, Chile Cabernet Sauvignon Brief skin contact after crushing Cold, slow fermentation Colour: Strong red Aroma: red fruits, strawberries? Palate: fresh, fruity For summer drinking
14. 14 The Americas First vines thought to have been planted by Spanish in Mexico (1521) Indigenous vines ( Vitis labrusca)found to be unsuitable for wine production : used European Vitis vinifera varieties [But native rootstocks the saviour of European Vitis vinifera] Migration down west side of both continents East coast production more limited because of humidity and cold winters in North, but expansion in Uruguay and Brazil in South
16. 16 Argentina, Chile & Uruguay Chile , Argentina & Uruguay Long traditions brought by Italian and other Sth European immigrants Geographical appellations and districts Grape variety
17. 17 Chile No phylloxera Limitless irrigation from Andean meltwater. Cooling Pacific breezes; Leyda, San Antonio and Casablanca valleys Low land and labour costs Huge new investment from California, France and Spain World’s tenth largest producer; 85% exported Mainly single varietals, but Bordeaux blends very successful Concha y Toro, Errazuriz, Cono Sur, Vina Leyda Montes, Emiliana are all reliable brands
20. 20 Argentina Sixth largest world producer Traditional local markets; now exporting 65% Quality therefore a major goal Mendoza most successful vineyards; Malbec most typical grape variety with pedigree White now improving with Spanish Torrontes showing individual character Catena Zapata, Mendel, Weinert, Familia Zuccardi, Di Martino, Norton, Trapiche, Etchart are amongst leading producers
26. 26 Wine 2 Faldeos Nevados Torrentes, Salta, Argentina, 2010 Torrontes: Spanish grape introduced by Basque settlers Cross of Muscat of Alexandria and Criolla Chica Susana Balbo, one of Argentina’s top wine makers Salta 5,000 ft on pre-Andes plains Aroma: Aromatic, floral, grapey (Muscat) nose Palate: Citrus, hint of peach With food or on its own? .
28. 28 Wine 3 Matetic EQ Pinot Noir 2008 DO San Antonio, Chile Close to Pacific Ocean Selected organic grapes from six vineyards 11 months in French barriques. Aroma: Roses, cherries, strawberries, marmalade. Palate: Smooth, silky. Cherries, some earthiness. Compare with Californian Pinot Noir (Wine 4)
30. 30 North America United States (California) is world’s fourth largest producer Wine made in Canada and Florida in 16C of local Vitis Labrusca vines Phylloxera and Prohibition interrupt progress, only restored after WW2 with Approved Viticultural Areas (AVAs) introduced in 1978 AVA controls less stringent than European appellations, but Health Warnings are taken to ridiculous lengths! AVAs require at least 75% ( 90% in Oregon) of grape varietal and 95% of vintage indicated on label
31. Wine 4 Saintsbury Carneros Pinot Noir, Napa Valley, 2007 Cooler AVA to S of Napa and Sonoma; ideal for Pinot Noir Grapes from several vineyards and blended after maturation in French oak Colour: Dark, garnet, crimson Aroma: Cherries, pomegranate, earthiness. Palate: Soft tannins , complex fruits, spiciness, eathiness 31
33. 33 U S A 1978 Approved Viticultural Areas (AVAs) First in Missouri! Now 150 Typically 75% & 85% rules on named grapes and origin Winery in every state (even Alaska) Wine grapes grown almost all states, but California accounts for 90% of wine production
34. 34 U S A Outside California, fine wine most likely to be produced in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia In California, finest wines come from Russian River, Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino counties Stars producers include : Bonny Doon, Mondavi, Ironstone Ridge, Roederer, Drouhin, Quady, Kendall-Jackson, Stags’ Leap, Duckhorn, Beringer, Saintsbury, etc.
35. Zinfandel 10% of Californian wine grapes Equivalent to the Croatian grape Crljenak Kaštelanski, and also the Primitivovariety traditionally grown in Italy The grapes typically produce a robust red wine 35
36. 36 Jancis Robinson Interlude Old world v. New world Chardonnay South Australia v Burgundy
38. 38 South Africa: history Frost-free winters, reliable summers, cool breezes Cape plantings : Dutch(1655), Huguenots (1680) British arrival increases demand in 19C Phylloxera cripples trade Rise of Co-ops: KWV (1918) Expansion discouraged by Govt. WO introduced, but Apartheid sanctions inhibited growth 1990s: Reforms of WO following democratic elections allow world trade to develop Now 8th largest producer in world (750 million litres)
46. 46 Australia: history Cape vines planted round Sydney Harbour/Botany Bay(1788) More success in Hunter Valley (1820) with European rootstock Mid 19c expansion into Victoria, Tasmania, SA, WA, Queensland Influence of Silesian, Italian, Swiss, Greek, Baltic migrants In 1930s exported mainly fortified /heavy reds to British Empire Post-war immigration of Italians and Greeks encouraged still wines Renaissance from 1960s with lower yields, stainless steel, barrique ageing, hygiene, honest labelling Following agreement in 1994 with EU, aggressive marketing in UK, SE Asia and USA Now seventh largest producer; exports more wine to UK than France!
47. 47 Australia Quality assurance Agricultural shows Show reserve; rosettes etc 1991 Geographical Indications (GIs) Zones, Regions and Sub-regions
51. Wine 6 Turner’s Crossing, Shiraz, Bendigo, Victoria 16 acres; hand-picked, selected grapes Fermentation in wooden (open) and stainless steel vats (closed) Aromas: Complex! Oak, spice (cinnamon?), chocolate, soft tannins Palate: Elements of red and black berries, chocolate. And spices. A robust, complex wine; needs food; not for summer quaffing! 51
52. 52 New Zealand Earliest plantings near Auckland Dalmation immigrants 1994 regulatory reform Appellations and sub-regions Iconic Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Also Pinot Noir from Martinborough, Marlborough & Otago
55. Wine 7 Ned Noble Sauvignon Blanc , Marlborough, 2010 Waihopai River vineyard Botrytised grapes have been specially selected Lengthy 6 months fermentation extracts huge flavours from the shrivelled berries. Aroma: Sweet, aromatic, citrus, tropical fruit Palate: The wine is intensely sweet and balanced (acid/sweetness) with a mixture of crisp citrus and melon flavours “An amazing match for blue cheeses or rich pâté” 55
56. 56 Today’s wines 1.Neblina Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, Central Valley, Chile, 2010 £4.99 *M Faldeos Nevados Torrentes, Salta, Argentina, 2010 £6.95 WS Matetic EG Pinot Noir, San Antonio, Chile, 2008 £22.00 M 4. Saintsbury Carneros Pinot Noir, Napa, California, 2007 £15.99 M 5. Buiten Blanc Buitenverwachting, Coastal Region, Sth Africa, 2009 £6.50 WS 6. Turners Crossing Shiraz/Viognier Bendigo, Victoria , 2006 £16.99 OZ 7. Ned Noble Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ, 2010 £9.99 * M -------------------------------- OZ OZ Wines WS Wine Society MMajestic