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The traditional region for the production of classic wines is considered old Europe, or rather, France, Italy, Spain, and to a slightly lesser extent, Portugal and Germany. The term “New World wines” mainly refers to the products of Africa, Australia, South and North America: this category includes Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa, the USA and Canada. Unlike the “Old World”, there are no winemaking traditions that have developed over the centuries, so local brands turn out to be exotic, vibrant and very original. Only in this way can young, ambitious manufacturers win back a part of the market from eminent competitors.
Features
Several factors contribute to the popularity of New World wines at once:
- rich soils and sunny climate of producing countries;
- affordable prices (due to cheap labor and the absence of European restrictions on yields);
- exotic tastes through local grape varieties and a unique geographical location.
Historical information
Until the XNUMXth century – the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries – winemaking was not very common in the territory of modern Venezuela, Mexico and Colombia. Locals skillfully made low-alcohol alcoholic drinks from corn, quinoa, shinus and even strawberries, but remained completely indifferent to grapes. Everything changed with the arrival of the Spaniards: the conquerors were not going to give up their usual gastronomic traditions, and it was not possible to export wine from their homeland – the wine could not stand the long journey and turned sour.
In the XVI-XVII centuries, a number of American countries could already boast of flowering and fruitful vineyards, in particular: Peru, Chile, Paraguay, Argentina. Some of them were so successful that the Spanish government, fearful of competition, forbade new vineyards to be planted in the colonies. However, to no avail: the process could no longer be stopped.
True, local products were not enough: the European colonialists needed wine not only for gastronomic, but also for religious purposes, and the Indians themselves were more willing to make pisco – local grape vodka – and weather conditions did not always allow for a rich harvest. Therefore, the Spaniards gradually opened up new territories, and by the XNUMXth century they began to import South African wines.
In Australia, winemaking was established by 1820, and in 1873, during a blind test in Vienna, judges even confused the antipode brands with French samples.
Characteristics of New World wines
In the countries of the New World, the climate is predominantly hotter than in Europe; accordingly, local wines are made from more mature and juicy grapes, which results in a richer and richer taste. In addition, New World wines are usually a couple of degrees stronger than “old world” ones.
As for the names, initially American, Australian and African producers used established names, such as “Burgundy”, “Champagne”, “Sherry”, etc. (especially since the wines were made from grape varieties exported from the respective regions). This caused confusion and indignation among European winemakers.
Since the 1960s, New World wines have been released under alternative “local” labels, even if the composition of the drink is fully consistent with, say, the classic Chardonnay. However, completely original blends have also appeared, for example, Syrah with Cabernet Sauvignon or Sémillon with Sauvignon Blanc.
Argentina
Argentina is considered the fifth largest wine region in the world. Initially, the style of Argentine wines was dictated by the Spanish colonialists, but then the local products were strongly influenced by Italian and German immigrants.
One of the brightest representatives of this category is the aromatic white wine Torrontes, the red varieties of Malbec, Barbera, Bonarda (aka Corbo) are also popular.
Wine regions: Province of Mendoza, San Juan, Rioja, Salta, Catamarca, Rio Negro, Buenos Aires.
Australia
Excellent wines that are in no way inferior in taste to European ones. The phylloxera epidemic that broke out at the end of the 2000th century did not affect the South Australian regions, so the local vineyards were not affected and are currently considered one of the oldest in the world. In XNUMX, exports of Australian table wines to the UK exceeded those of France. Despite the fact that the wines from the “country of kangaroos” are often criticized for excessive sweetness of taste, at the moment this alcohol is considered one of the most complex and sophisticated.
Vineyards: Barosa Valley (Syrah), Cunawara (Cabernet Sauvignon), Eden Valley (Riesling), Hunter Valley (Semillon).
Canada
In Canada, as well as in the eastern states of the United States, it was not possible to graft and cultivate the European variety Vinis vinifera, which led to the export of varieties Vitis Labrusca and Vitis riparia, which have a characteristic “fox” aroma due to the presence of specific essential oils in the skin of the berries. The most commercially successful in Canada are “ice wines” made from Riesling, Vidal Blanc and Cabernet Franc.
Chile
The world’s tenth largest wine producer, the local grapes have long been classified as Merlot, although they are revealed to actually be from the Carménère family. Traditionally, in this country, quantity is valued over quality, which is why Chilean wines entered the “major league” only after the 1990s.
Vineyards: Lleida Valley, Bio-Bio Valley.
Colombia
In Colombia, unlike other South American countries, wine production functioned primarily for religious purposes, while the state did not accept European immigrants, as a result of which winemaking developed here independently and independently.
Colombian wines are of excellent quality, but they are almost never exported, so you can only get acquainted with drinks in the country.
Wine regions: Villa de Leyva, Valle del Cauca.
Mexico
In 2013, almost 90% of all Mexican wine was produced in Baja California. This is one of the oldest wine regions not only in Mexico, but throughout the New World.
New Zealand
The beginning of winemaking in this country was laid by immigrants from Croatia who arrived in New Zealand at the end of the XNUMXth century, but for about a hundred years the industry was in its infancy. New Zealand winemakers experimented with different varieties and eventually settled on Sauvinon Blanc, later adding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Today, aromatic wines are loved in the “land of kiwi birds”: Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Auslese.
Peru
In 2008, Peru had approximately 14 hectares of vineyards producing over 610 hectoliters of wine per year.
Wine-growing areas: the cities of Pisco and Ica.
South Africa
The most popular African variety is Pinotage (a mixture of Pinot Noir and Cinsault), but South African winemakers also use varieties more familiar to Europeans – a variety of Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay.
Despite the fact that the first portion of African wine was made just over 300 years ago, today the aromatic and full-bodied wines from Cape Town are considered a real pearl of the New World.
USA
More than 90% of American wine is produced in California, with the remaining 10% coming from Washington, New York and Oregon. In the northern states, wine is produced from indigenous grape varieties, but their specific “fox” flavor is not to everyone’s taste.
Prohibition had a huge impact on the development of winemaking in the United States (or rather, its stagnation), as a result of which noble dry wines gave way to sweet fortified alcohol of low quality. Pinot Noir and Riesling are now made in the northwestern states, and Vitis Labrusca and its hybrids are popular in New York, and Zinfandel is famous in California.