All You Need to Know About "Old World" and "New World" Wine

The earliest New World winemakers in the 18th and 19th centuries generally followed the principles of the wine making techniques present in European countries at that time, with the intent of creating wines that strongly resembled those obtainable in Europe. However, their own climates and soils were totally different; often having to put up with sweltering temperatures never encountered in the Old World homeland. For example, settlers in California found the scorching heat was too much for the production of superior Wine grapes, until finally they realized the valleys of Napa as well as Sonoma could take advantage of the gaps within the Coastal range of mountains which sucked in cold air and fog from the ocean, providing the essential cooling element so necessary for top class wine.

New World wines are usually defined as "Wines produced in regions established by colonies of European exploration, which started with a number of the longer voyages in the 15th century."
Put simply, New World wines are all those developed in areas other than Europe and the Mediterranean countries.
It was during the 1960s, when traditions ended up being questioned, and boundaries were coming down, which gave New World Wine its chance for worldwide success. Brought about within 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 arrived in combination with a complete rethink of how to explain and market the wines.

Initially, the New World were simply using well-known names from the Old World; "Australian Burgundy" and "Californian Chablis" became commonplace. International law quickly caught up with this particular practice, however, ruling that Burgundy or Chablis are only able to be made in Burgundy or Chablis. so even though the New World producer would use identical grapes and identical techniques to produce a top quality version of one of these famous wines, he could not use any name which the customer would recognise.

These producers soon came to the conclusion that it was the flavour belonging to the different grape varieties that was the single most important factor in their wines, and arrived at the solution of varietal labelling.They highlighted the grape variety on the label, their own name, and left it at that. This has changed the whole way we think about, speak about, choose - and most importantly - buy Wine. We now know the importance of the various grapes, as it is these varieties, as opposed to 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 Rioja. No other idea has made the enjoyment of Wine so easily accessible to every one.

This accessibility has led to a willingness to experiment: to purchase and experience the type of wine we enjoy, no matter where it was made, New World or Old World. Now the Old World has recognized that it must move into this modern World so that it can compete and survive, and the naming of grapes on labels has become almost as popular in Europe as anywhere in the winemaking World.

The task for the newer producers is to produce wines which have the high quality of the originals from the Old World, that will have the staying power to keep them being purchased and enjoyed by wine lovers around the world. This really is all good news for us; it means that we have a larger choice of wines than ever before, from a wider variety of places. Additionally, it means that we have a opportunity to experience what some of the world's best wines have to offer - at a reasonable price.

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A Guide to Fine Wine

Wine is made from grapes, primarily the Vitis Vinifera. The main grape varieties, often called noble, are grown all around the world. They are widely recognised as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Grigio (Gris) for white grapes and Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (Shiraz), Merlot, Pinot Noir and Grenache for red.

There are over one thousand (1000) grape varieties, as recently listed in the new book by wine expert Jancis Robinson. Wine is made all around the world, but is commonly divided into traditional wine producing countries (Old World) and countries where grapes have only been recently cultivated (New World). Old World wines come from countries such as France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece, Hungary, Romania and England. New World wines come from countries like the USA, Chile, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

Old World Countries have complex laws that define how and where grape varieties may be grown. These exist under the European framework of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). In France the system is the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and Vin de Pays. In Spain it is the Denominación de Origen (DO) and the Vino de la Tierra (VDLT). In Italy Denominazione di Origine Controllata (e Garantita) (DOC/DOCG) and the Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT). In Germany there is the Prädikatswein and Qualitätswein.

Famous wine producing regions include Bordeaux in France, where the red wine is often called Claret. The famous classification system here dates back to 1855 when the top Chateau were classified into five stages. This only applies to the wines produced on the left bank of the Dordogne river.

Other famous French wine regions include Burgundy, home to Chablis, Loire where Sancerre is made and the famous wines of Alsace. The most famous wine region in Spain is undoubtedly Rioja and the name Chianti and Chianti Classico is synonymous with Italy.

The New World Wine regions include the Napa and Sonoma Valley in California, USA where Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are famous grapes. Wines such as Mondavi and E&J Gallo are well known and popular. Jacob's Creek is the best known Australian brand, although quality wine regions include the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale in South Australia where quality Shiraz is grown, Semillon from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales and Margaret River in Western Australia.

In New Zealand the Marlborough region produces fresh Sauvignon Blanc, although Central Otago is becoming a classic Pinot Noir region. The Malbec grape produces fantastic red wines in Argentina, mainly from the high altitude region of Mendoza.

Chile is home to a wide variety of grapes, their long thin country having several valleys that run parallel to the Andes, such as the Casablanca Valley, Maipo and Colchagua.

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Buy Fine Wine Online

Wine makes a wonderful present. It can be a gesture of apology after an argument to a gift of thanks - for a wonderful visit or dinner. It can be a symbol of age - being given a beautiful fine wine to mark an important occasion and it's also used to celebrate, from graduations to weddings.

When you come to buy fine wine, online is the way to go. It is only once you get online and start researching that you realise the huge variety, quality and value of wines available from across Europe and beyond. From specialist merchants to online supermarket retailers, you're sure to find something to fit the occasion.

Buying wine online often comes with an added benefit; you'll find that if you buy a certain number i.e. 6, they'll add in an extra two for free. And it's not just the cheap wine they give away. Several specialist wine merchants now offer online packages where they will send you a variety of wines every month, at a discounted rate. This allows you to test your palette and expand your range of wines; who knows? You may find a good Australian that knocks the spots of your normal French red.

It's also the case that different retailers will specialise in different types of wine. By and large, Old World wines have been slower to get onto the online market, just because they have traditionally been far more successful in retail than New World wines. So when you're buying wine online today, you may find New World wines more abundant or at better rates to Old World.

The same goes for good quality champagne and dessert wine. Harder to find in store because their prices and taste makes them a slower turn around, it is easy to find good quality dessert wine and champagnes at a reasonable price online, where the issues a traditional supermarket faces are reduced. http://ezinearticles.com/?Buy-Fine-Wine-Online&id=5524586