The first New World winemakers in the 18th and 19th century generally followed the principles of the wine-making techniques current in Europe at that time, with the intention of producing wines that closely resembled those available in Europe. However, their climates and soils were completely different; often having to contend with sweltering heat never encountered in the Old World homeland. For example, settlers in California found the scorching heat was too great for the production of good wine grapes, until they realised that the valleys of Napa and Sonoma could take advantage of the gaps in the Coastal range of mountains which sucked in cold air and fog from the sea, providing the important cooling element so necessary for top class wine.
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New World wines are defined as ...
Wines produced in regions established by colonies of European
exploration, which began with some of the longer voyages in
the 15th century.
In other words, New World wines are all those produced in regions
other than Europe and the Mediterranean countries.
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It was during the 1960s, when traditions were being questioned, and barriers were coming down, that gave New World wine its chance for worldwide success. Led in the US by men such as Robert Mondavi and in Australia by Max Schubert of Penfolds, there came the desire to change and improve on the old order. This came in combination with a complete rethink of how to communicate and market the wines.
At first, the New World had been simply using famous names from the Old World; "Australian Burgundy" and "Californian Chablis" became commonplace. International law soon caught up with this practice however, ruling that Burgundy or Chablis can only be made in Burgundy or Chablis. So even though the New World producer could use identical grapes and identical methods to produce a high quality version of one of these famous wines, he couldn't use any name that the consumer would recognise.
These producers soon came to the conclusion that it was the FLAVOUR of the different grape varieties that 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, select - and most importantly - buy wine. 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 are all now used to ordering a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or a Merlot. No other idea has made the enjoyment of wine so easily accessible to all.
This accessibility has led to a willingness to experiment: to buy and experience the type of wine we like, no matter where it was made, New World or Old World. Now the Old World has recognised that it must move into this modern world in order to compete and survive, and the naming of grapes on labels is now almost as common in Europe as anywhere in the winemaking world.
The following table shows some of the classic French wines, and their principal grapes, along with of the countries around the world who are making successful wines in a similar style.
| Classic French Wine |
Grapes Used |
New World Challengers |
| Alsace |
Gewurztraminer, Riesling |
Australia, New Zealand, USA |
| Bordeaux |
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot |
Australia, Chile, South Africa, USA |
| Burgundy (red) |
Pinot Noir |
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA |
| Burgundy (white) |
Chardonnay |
Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, USA |
| Champagne |
Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir |
Australia, New Zealand, USA |
| Rhône |
Syrah |
Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA |
| Sancerre |
Sauvignon Blanc |
Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, USA |
The challenge for the newer producers is to create wines that have the quality of the "originals" from the Old World, which will have the staying power to keep them being bought and enjoyed by wine lovers around the world. This is all good news for us; it means that we have a greater choice of wines than ever before, from a wider variety of places. It also means that we have a chance to experience what some of the world's greatest wines have to offer - at a reasonable price.
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