{"id":15882,"date":"2017-05-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-21T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bodegasmontecillo.com\/novedades\/new-world-wines\/"},"modified":"2024-04-25T22:50:32","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T20:50:32","slug":"new-world-wines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bodegasmontecillo.com\/en\/news\/new-world-wines\/","title":{"rendered":"New World wines"},"content":{"rendered":"

In previous posts we have mentioned the turning point in terms of international recognition for Californian wines, members of the so-called New World<\/strong>, and today we are going to examine the<\/strong> characteristics of these wines in more detail, comparing them with European (or Old World) wines. <\/strong><\/span>There are many angles to cover. <\/span>
\nThe first, logically, is to make the geographical distinction. \u00a0The Old World is concentrated in Europe, in countries that enjoy a long history of winemaking. \u00a0<\/strong><\/span>
\nYou could mention Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Portugal, the Balkans, also the UK<\/strong> (Brexit notwithstanding), as it is a noteworthy producer of sparkling wines. \u00a0This group could also include other countries on the geographical limits, such as Georgia<\/strong> (probably the birthplace of modern wine) or even the Middle East in countries like Israel and Lebanon<\/strong>. \u00a0<\/span>
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\nThe New World, however, is concentrated on the American continent<\/strong>, although the norm is to include any country with a winemaking tradition of less than 500 years<\/strong>. Therefore this category also includes South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Japan<\/strong>. <\/span>
\nBut beyond their mere location, it is possible to talk about stylistic differences, even when it comes to packaging, as, for example, in Oceania it is common to find wines costing 50 dollars or more that are bottled under screw-cap<\/strong>, something that is unthinkable, for now, at least, in Europe.<\/span>
\nThe European style is characterised by wines of more subtle colours, which are silky and elegant<\/strong>, multi-faceted rather than powerful, with notable acidity, balance, alcohol levels below 15\u00ba and a well-integrated style. They are fresh wines. <\/strong><\/span>
\nNew World wines, however, tend to be the opposite: with intense colours<\/strong>, more noticeable new wood, ripe fruit, medium acidity, exuberant tannins, concentration and higher alcohol. They are warm wines.<\/strong><\/span>
\nHowever, this is a great generalisation<\/strong>, as we can now find wines that fall into both of these categories all over the world, due to the huge commercial pressure to gain market share. \u00a0For example, in the Levant, along Spain’s Mediterranean coast, the description given for New World wines is very relevant.<\/span>
\nThe differences are growing smaller, but, at the end of the day, if we are talking about typical examples with a common core, then the aforementioned distinctions can’t be ignored. <\/span>
\nMany of these factors are due to inevitable climatic factors<\/strong>, as Europe tends to have a much cooler climate (Champagne, Burgundy, Switzerland, the Mosel) than the climates that we find in New World winemaking regions. \u00a0<\/span>
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\nIn fact, when they want to make a fresher style of wine in these countries they use high altitude vineyards, as is the case in Chile and Argentina. <\/strong>
\nEven so there is also an almost philosophical slant to both stances and it is that Old World producers usually seek to be in balance with the terroir<\/strong>, trying to integrate all the factors that intervene into the typical nature of the final product. \u00a0They (normally) seek singularity. \u00a0<\/span>
\nThat’s why in Europe<\/strong> the region is more important than the grape variety. \u00a0When you ask for a wine it is common to request it by region<\/strong> (\u00abI want a Rioja or a Ribera del Duero\u00bb) or by the winery<\/strong> (\u00aba Montecillo, please\u00bb) or, in Spain, even by the type of ageing<\/strong> (\u00abI’ll have a Reserva\u00bb).<\/span>
\nIn the New World this is not so important, and they seek to differentiate by the type of grape<\/strong> (\u00abI want a Chardonnay\u00bb), in fact, there are flagship varieties for each country.<\/strong> \u00a0For example, Pinotage was created in South Africa as a hybrid of the French grapes Pinot Noir and Hermitage.<\/span>
\nSome of these flagship grapes include:<\/span><\/p>\n