Evaluating Old World and New World Wine
When people began producing wine within the ” new world ” they generally started out by using the methods that were present in Europe during the time, thereby creating similar wines. Differences in environments and land meant that they frequently had to cope with completely different environments than they had been used to. For instance, settlers in California found the sizzling heat was too much for the creation of superior wine grapes, until finally they noticed that the valleys of Napa as well as Sonoma could benefit from the gaps within the Coastal range of mountains which sucked in cold air and fog from the ocean, providing the crucial cooling down element so necessary for high quality wine.
” New World ” wines are usually defined as wines manufactured in areas established by colonies of Western European exploration, which began with a few of the lengthier expeditions within the fifteenth century. Put simply, ” New World ” wines are just about all those created in areas besides Europe and the Mediterranean countries. New World wine grew to become extremely popular during the nineteen sixties as boundaries began to fall. Producers in numerous countries such as Australia as well as the USA strove to enhance on the old wine orders. At this time there was also a significant re-think in the New World on how to market and sell wine.
At first, the New World had been simply using prominent names from the Old World; “Australian Burgundy” and “Californian Chablis” grew to become common. International law soon caught up with this practice, however, ruling that Burgundy or Chablis are only able to be made in Burgundy or Chablis. so even though the New World producer could use identical grapes and identical techniques to produce a high quality version of one of these renowned wines, he couldn’t use any name that the consumer would recognize. The producers soon came to the conclusion that it was the flavour belonging to the different grape varieties which was the single most important factor in their wines, and arrived at the solution of varietal labelling.They featured the grape variety on the label, their own name, and left it at that. This has changed the whole way we think about, talk about, choose – and more importantly – purchaseWine. We now know the importance of the different grapes, as it is these varieties, rather than the place of origin, that is stressed on the label. We’re all now accustomed to ordering a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or a Merlot. No other concept has made the enjoyment of Wines so easily accessible to every one. This accessibility has resulted in a willingness to experiment: to purchase and experience the kind ofwine we enjoy, no matter where it was made, New World or Old World. Now the Old World has recognised that it must move into this contemporary World in order to compete and survive, and the naming of grapes on labels is now virtually as popular in Europe as anywhere in the winemaking World.
Take a look at InterWine.co.uk for more wine information and advice.
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