Decoding the Labels of New World Wines
One of the most challenging things for wine lovers is decoding the labels of New World wines. New World wines are those produced outside of Europe, and while they offer incredible value and taste, their labeling can be quite confusing. In this article, we will take a closer look at New World wine labels and help you understand what all those terms mean.
First off, let's start with the basics. All wine labels must have certain information, regardless of where they are produced. This includes the producer's name, the vintage (the year the grapes were harvested), the geographic origin (region or AVA), grape variety or blend, and the alcohol content. In the case of New World wines, some of this information may be presented differently or may not be required, depending on the country of origin.
Let's break down the different elements of a New World wine label:
Producer's Name:
The producer's name is usually prominently displayed on the label. Some New World producers may have a more whimsical approach to naming their wines, but others may use their family name or a combination of both.
Vintage:
The vintage is the year the grapes were harvested. This information is important because it can give you an idea of the quality of the wine. New World wines may or may not have a vintage date on the label, depending on the country. In some cases, a producer may choose to release a wine without a vintage date (labelled as "NV," or non-vintage) if they have blended grapes from multiple years.
Geographic Origin:
New World wines may be labelled with a specific region (such as Napa Valley or Barossa Valley), or with an American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation (such as Napa Valley AVA or Sonoma Coast AVA). AVAs are specific wine grape-growing regions that have been recognized by the government. Some countries, like Australia, have a system of regions, while others do not.
Grape Variety or Blend:
The grape variety or blend is what gives the wine its unique characteristics and flavours. New World wines may have single varietal labelling (such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay) or may be blended from multiple grape varieties.
Alcohol Content:
The alcohol content of a wine is typically listed as a percentage of volume. In the New World, wines may have a higher alcohol content than European wines due to different winemaking techniques and warmer climates.
Now that we've covered the basics, let's take a deeper dive into some of the terms you may see on New World wine labels:
Organic:
Organic wines are made from grapes that have been grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. This term may also extend to the winemaking process, which must meet certain standards in order to be labelled as organic.
Biodynamic:
Biodynamic wines take organic winemaking to a new level, with a focus on the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem. Biodynamic winemakers will use organic farming practices as well as holistic farming methods in order to produce wine that is true to the terroir.
Reserve:
The term "reserve" on a New World wine label may indicate that the wine has been aged for a longer period of time than the producer's standard wine. However, in some countries, this term has no legal meaning, and the producer may use it purely as a marketing tool.
Old Vines:
Wines labelled as "old vines" or "vieilles vignes" have been made from grapes grown on older vines, typically over 50 years old. These vines produce less fruit, but the fruit they do produce is of a higher quality.
Single Vineyard:
Wines labelled as "single vineyard" are made entirely from grapes grown in one specific location. These wines are typically higher in quality and reflect the unique character of the vineyard.
Now that you have a better understanding of New World wine labels, you can confidently make your next wine purchase. Remember to look for the producer's name, vintage, geographic origin, grape variety or blend, and alcohol content. And be sure to pay attention to other terms like organic, biodynamic, reserve, old vines, and single vineyard as they can provide even more insight into the wine's character. Happy tasting!