New World

Old World countries created a template for grape-growing and winemaking for the New World countries.

Over thousands of years through trial and error, the wine-making countries of Europe (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Austria) have identified what grape varieties grow best in their respective terroir (soil, climate, altitude). And over the past 50-250 years, the New World countries have taken the Old World’s template to realize their respective potential. Knowing what grapes are best in cooler and warmer climates and matching them with the most ideal soil types to get their greatest expression. The New World countries have done a good job of mimicking the Old World and innovate using progressive grape growing winemaking and techniques.

New World countries include United States, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, South Africa, Canada. Here are notable regions within each country:

• United States:

  • California: Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Barbara County

  • Washington: Willamette Valley

  • Washington: Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley

  • New York: Finger Lakes, North Fork

• Australia: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Margaret River

• New Zealand: Marlborough, Central Otago

• Argentina: Mendoza

• Chile: Casablanca Valley, Colchagua

• Uruguay: Calonia

• South Africa: Stellenbosch

• Canada: Niagara Peninsula, Okanagan Valley

There are several important factors to consider in New World wines. They are:

• Less vintage variation: This is an important factor, as knowing what vintages were best in the various regions around the world is difficult to know for sure. But generally, the climate and weather in the grape growing regions within New World countries are less volatile.

• Riper style: Wines from these countries tend to highlight varietal style more so than terroir. Many of the top New World regions are moderate to warm climate which will producer a riper more fruit driven expression in the wines with slightly higher ABV (alcohol by volume). This ultimately makes New World wines more approachable and drinkable than Old World wines in their youth.

• While this has been more tempered (thankfully) over the last several years, the use of New Oak is more prevalent. This too will contribute to a richer sometimes sweeter style of wine (fast fact: vanilla is a common taste and aroma characteristic of new oak).

• Wine labeling: Unlike most Old World countries, New World wines essentially label wines by grape variety. This is especially helpful to wine enthusiasts as it provides a clearer idea of what a wine will taste like if you have an understanding of what the various grape varieties smell and taste like. In the United States, if a grape variety is on the label, it the wine must contain 75% of that variety. The remaining 25% can be made up of any other grape varieties. As for the region where the grapes come from, or what is formally called the AVA (American Viticultural Area), the wine must contain 85% fruit from the stated region.

Want to be the first to hear when we publish our next Wine Ed Index entry?

CLICK HERE to sign up for bi-weekly newsletter and also get our Grape Varietal Guide!