by
Shannon Porter, Personal Wine Consultant with The Traveling Vineyard
This new year, why not try a New World wine? What is a New World wine?
Wines from countries that are relatively “new” to winemaking
such as Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and yes, even the U.S.
In February, the Southern Hemisphere wineries begin their wine harvest,
so this month we’ll take a look at some Southern Hemisphere New
World wines.
Let’s
first take a look at Australia. Australia is aggressively pursuing what
they call “Strategy 2025” – their formal vision to
become the world’s leading wine producer by the year 2025. Expect
to see many more wines arriving from Australia then ever before. One
of my newfound favorites is a varietal call Durif. Durif is actually
made from the Petit Syrah grape and was “invented” in Australia
in the 1880s by a man named – you guessed it Dr. Durif. However,
with the popularity of Syraz, the grape was nearly obliterated until
recently. It is now making a comeback and when well-made is a wonderful
wine that may have plummy, herbaceous and spicy notes with a touch of
blackberry. It is a great accompaniment to beef dishes as well as dark
chocolate desserts!
New
Zealand is probably best known for its Sauvignon Blancs. First planted
in an Auckland vineyard in the 1970s, Sauvignon Blanc became known as
New Zealand’s “signature” white wine by the 1990s.
Most New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are aged in stainless steel and some
are blended with Semillon. If you like Sauvignon Blanc and have never
had one from New Zealand – run to your local liquor store and
get one now!
In
1990, only 10% of Chilean wines were exported. Today, thanks to a newfound
emphasis on quality and technology; and investment in Chilean wineries
by winemakers from the U.S. and Europe – Chile is the fifth-largest
wine exporter in the world, exporting more than 60% of the wine they
produce. Chile is probably currently best known for its Cabernet Sauvignon
and Bordeaux blends of Cabernet and Merlot.
In
the mid-16th century Argentina saw an influx of European settlers, missionaries
and conquistadors from Spain, France and Italy; and it was these countries
that helped shape the winemaking of this country as we know it today.
Argentina’s signature red wine is Malbec, a native Bordeaux grape
that is now relatively unknown in France, except for the winemaking
region of Cahors. One of my favorite Malbecs is made by Pannotia Vineyards.
Check them out at http://www.pannotiavineyards.com. Coincidentally,
their VP of Marketing, Todd Martin lives here in Denver!
And
my final new “must try” New World wine for the New Year
is a Torrontes. Torrontes is the “signature” white wine
of Argentina and is a light white wine that is wonderful as an aperitif,
or served with seafood or slightly spicy Asian foods. As it has a very
floral nose, I have found it is liked by sweet and dry white wine drinkers
alike – even though it is not a sweet wine. Pannotia Vineyards
mentioned above also makes a wonderful Torrontes.
So
this New Year, try a new New World wine and may you always expand your
wine horizons with new wine finds. Salut!
Shannon
Porter is an independent wine consultant for The Traveling Vineyard.
She has been interested in wines since the 1980s and began conducting
in-home wine tastings in 2003. She has been featured in 5280 magazine
and to date has conducted over 200 wine tastings. For more information
call 303.888.9283 or visit
www.myttv.com/shannon5290
