Last week I discussed some of the more basic concepts
of wine and began to dive into the different varietals. There are plenty of
different regions located around the world that grow a wide array of different
types of grapes. Two distinctions help to describe these different areas and
they include New World vs Old World wine.
Old World wines are considered to be from countries
where winemaking first originated. These varietals tend to be lighter tasting,
having less alcohol, having higher acidity, and tasting less fruity. The
majority of these grapes are grown in European countries, but can even include
places such as North Africa.
New World wines come from countries or regions where
winemaking was imported during the age and after exploration. Examples of these
countries include the United States, Australia, South Africa, and Chile to name
a few. Varietals stemming from these parts of the world tend to be described as
tasting riper, having more alcohol, having less acidity, and tasting less
fruity.
Even with these distinctions in place, the tasting
notes from each region are very general since, ultimately, each winemaker has
their own technique to introduce different flavors in their product. Also,
different conditions such as soil types and climate affect the characteristics
of how a particular wine tastes. Considering the multitude of factors which
help to develop the flavor profile of any given wine, it’s no wonder people can
become overwhelmed with information.
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| Picture courtesy of Winefolly.com |
