Old World vs. New World

I’m sure you’re familiar with the expressions “Old World” and “New World” when it comes to wine. “Old World” refers to those from Europe (the “old country”). “New World” means wines from anywhere else. Aside from simply geographic indications, these terms have come to signify more of winemaking styles. “Old World” wines tend to be “terroir” driven (flavours evolving from the particular site that give a wine its individual character), with the fruit in the background and less aggressive use of oak. “New World” implies the opposite: fruit upfront, more use of oak and the “terroir” aspect underplayed. Exceptions and crossovers certainly exist, but generally, all wine seems to fall into one category or the other.

Tears of Joy

When you pour yourself a glass of wine, ever notice the beading on the glass that turns into tears or legs that ooze down the side? These droplets are cause by glycerol, a sugar alcohol compound, and are usually an indication of richness once the wine is in the mouth. Higher alcohol, residual sugar, wood contact and higher fermentation temperatures can all increase the definition of the beading and especially the tears and slow down the vertical movement in the glass. Clean stemware is absolutely imperative for this to show properly. For some folks these droplets or legs are merely liquid rolling down the side of a tasting glass, but for wine lovers, anticipating a richer wine, they truly are “tears of joy”. 

Italian Novellos

Most of you are familiar with Beaujolais Nouveau that comes out the 3^rd Thursday in November around the world. However, Beaujolais is not the only “nouveau” wine produced. Most wine regions create them. One of the more interesting is “novello” from Italy. These young, fruity, light reds are created throughout the country, but unlike Beaujolais that are all made from Gamay, these are produced from indigenous varieties of the regions they are created in. No two are alike. With all due respect to Beaujolais Nouveau, if every producer utilizes the same grape, how different can they all be? The official launch date for Italian Novello is November 8, but they are often held back to coincide with the Beaujolais release.

Beaujolais Nouveau

The 3^rd Thursday in November is the annual, worldwide release of Beaujolais Nouveau and has become quite the phenomenon. This easy-drinking, party red wine, made from the Gamay grape, is often packaged in bottles with artistically designed labels. It’s a great excuse for restaurants, bars, hotels, clubs and individuals to throw events and celebrations the night before, urging consumers to be the first to taste the new wine, culminating with the opening of bottles at the stroke of midnight. It truly is a bit of marketing genius. Just keep in mind that the wine was made by cutting some corners and should not be taken too seriously. In reality, it is probably best consumed before the end of the calendar year it is from.