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Wine Tasting: "Old World vs. New World, Part I"
July 25, 2009 (Sat)
from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Cost: Complimentary
Event ID #261540
Event Details
Wine OR Wine & Food
WINESTONE
" Old World vs. New World, Part I "
July 25th, 2009
July 25th, 2009
Notes by Yoko
“New World/Old World” is a term often used in the world of wine. “Old World” refers to European and Mediterranean countries, where the vine was widely planted by the 4th century. This includes: France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Hungary, and Austria. On the other hand, “New World” refers to many of the colonies established as a result of European exploration. This includes: USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina. The difference in growing conditions, tradition and taste in each world often reflects in a style of wine produced.
Sauvignon Blanc:
2007 Fournier, Sauvignon Blanc $12
Where: Loire, France
Wine is a product of grape juice through fermentation, which is a conversion of sugar by interaction of yeasts into alcohol. In theory, the higher the sugar of the grape, the higher the final alcohol content of the wine. By tasting side by side, you may notice that the wines from Old World tend to have lower alcohol and more acidity. This is because most of the vineyards in the Old World are located in cooler climate, which means less ripe grape (=less sugar), thus less alcohol content. Although there is a vintage variation due to the continental climate, Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley is generally very pale yellow in color, with fruit of lemon, lime, tart apple, with some mineral, hints of grassiness and crisp acidity.
2008 Omaka Springs, Sauvignon Blanc $14
Where: Marlborough, New Zealand
Located on the north-east corner of the South Island, New Zealand, the region of Marlborough enjoys the most sunshine in the country. Since the success of Sauvignon Blanc back in the 80’s, not only in this region but the area under vines in this country is expanding rapidly. New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs usually have a very extroverted personality and when you smell the wines, you can almost hear them say, “We are Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand!” with the signature aroma. Combination of sunny yet relatively cool maritime climate of Marlborough region produces a bottle of “Kiwi” that has a touch more color, with richer and riper fruit of grapefruit, gooseberry, pear, peach and bright acidity, compared to its French counterpart.
Chenin Blanc:
2008 Raats Family Wines, Chenin Blanc, ‘Original’ $14
Where: Coastal Region, South Africa
Because of its versatility producing a wide spectrum of wine styles from sparkling, dry, sweet, botrytized, to being the raw material for sherry, port, and brandy, ‘chameleon’ is the word most often used to describe the grape of Chenin Blanc. The discovery in 1965 proved that South Africa’s ‘Steen’ was indeed Chenin Blanc. It is believed that the industrious Jan Van Riebeek of the Dutch East India Company brought the original European cuttings to South Africa in 1655. The Raats Family Wines is a specialist in the crafting of exceptional Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. This Chenin Blanc exhibits lively fruit of pineapple, apple, along with fresh citrus acidity and hints of ginger, honeysuckle and orange blossom.
2008 Montagne Blanche, Coteaux du Vendomois $10
Where: Coteaux du Vendomois, Loire, France
French wine region of the Loire Valley may not get the kind of glory Burgundy or Bordeaux gets but it is, in fact, one of the largest and most diverse wine regions in France. There are significant contrasts in the climate, geography and soil, as well as history, cuisine and tradition and this diversity resulted in the cultivation of a wide range of grape varieties, therefore a wide range of wines from sparkling, dry-medium-sweet whites, dry-off dry rose, light and fruity-fuller bodied elegant reds.Coteaux du Vendomois is a 142 hectare wine appellation located between the Coteaux du Loire and the city of Vendome in the Loire Valley. Made from 100% Chen Blanc, this wine presents exotic tropical fruit of mango, papaya and white peach balanced by bright acidity and soft texture.
Melrot:
2005 Baron de Boutisse $25
Where: Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Grape: 88% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc
The most acclaimed Bordeaux 1855 Classification ranks 60 top chateaux in Medoc and Chateau Haut Brion in Graves. Despite the fact it has been 153 years since it was issued and a lot happened and changed during that time, people still refer to the Classification as a benchmark to this day. On the other hand, Classification of Saint-Emilion, created in 1954, ranking 11 châteaux into Premier Grande Cru Classe and 53 Grand Cru Classe, gets revised every 10 years. Classified as Grand Cru Classe, Baron de Boutisse is a second wine of Chateau Boutisse from the commune of Saint Christophe des Bardes. It is considered to be one of the top communes in AOC Saint-Emilion. Merlot-based wines of Saint-Emilion are more generous and approachable yet complex with an elegant structure.
2005 Havens, Merlot $15
Where: Napa Valley, California, USA
Believed to be an offspring of Cabernet Franc as well as a sibling of Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux, France. In the States, Merlot enjoyed overnight success after being featured in a report on the French Paradox in the “60 minutes” back in the 1990’s. Then came the movie “Sideways”... However some of the producers are capable of producing some wonderful Merlot and one of the good examples is Havens. Blended with 7% Cabernet Franc, this 2005 vintage shows generous ripe fruit of blackberry and plum, with smooth yet structural tannins and hints of earthiness, reminiscent of great Right Bank Bordeaux. Medium-bodied Merlot goes well with a wide range of food, especially with beef tenderloin and grilled lamb.
Sauvignon Blanc:
2007 Fournier, Sauvignon Blanc $12
Where: Loire, France
Wine is a product of grape juice through fermentation, which is a conversion of sugar by interaction of yeasts into alcohol. In theory, the higher the sugar of the grape, the higher the final alcohol content of the wine. By tasting side by side, you may notice that the wines from Old World tend to have lower alcohol and more acidity. This is because most of the vineyards in the Old World are located in cooler climate, which means less ripe grape (=less sugar), thus less alcohol content. Although there is a vintage variation due to the continental climate, Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley is generally very pale yellow in color, with fruit of lemon, lime, tart apple, with some mineral, hints of grassiness and crisp acidity.
2008 Omaka Springs, Sauvignon Blanc $14
Where: Marlborough, New Zealand
Located on the north-east corner of the South Island, New Zealand, the region of Marlborough enjoys the most sunshine in the country. Since the success of Sauvignon Blanc back in the 80’s, not only in this region but the area under vines in this country is expanding rapidly. New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs usually have a very extroverted personality and when you smell the wines, you can almost hear them say, “We are Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand!” with the signature aroma. Combination of sunny yet relatively cool maritime climate of Marlborough region produces a bottle of “Kiwi” that has a touch more color, with richer and riper fruit of grapefruit, gooseberry, pear, peach and bright acidity, compared to its French counterpart.
Chenin Blanc:
2008 Raats Family Wines, Chenin Blanc, ‘Original’ $14
Where: Coastal Region, South Africa
Because of its versatility producing a wide spectrum of wine styles from sparkling, dry, sweet, botrytized, to being the raw material for sherry, port, and brandy, ‘chameleon’ is the word most often used to describe the grape of Chenin Blanc. The discovery in 1965 proved that South Africa’s ‘Steen’ was indeed Chenin Blanc. It is believed that the industrious Jan Van Riebeek of the Dutch East India Company brought the original European cuttings to South Africa in 1655. The Raats Family Wines is a specialist in the crafting of exceptional Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. This Chenin Blanc exhibits lively fruit of pineapple, apple, along with fresh citrus acidity and hints of ginger, honeysuckle and orange blossom.
2008 Montagne Blanche, Coteaux du Vendomois $10
Where: Coteaux du Vendomois, Loire, France
French wine region of the Loire Valley may not get the kind of glory Burgundy or Bordeaux gets but it is, in fact, one of the largest and most diverse wine regions in France. There are significant contrasts in the climate, geography and soil, as well as history, cuisine and tradition and this diversity resulted in the cultivation of a wide range of grape varieties, therefore a wide range of wines from sparkling, dry-medium-sweet whites, dry-off dry rose, light and fruity-fuller bodied elegant reds.Coteaux du Vendomois is a 142 hectare wine appellation located between the Coteaux du Loire and the city of Vendome in the Loire Valley. Made from 100% Chen Blanc, this wine presents exotic tropical fruit of mango, papaya and white peach balanced by bright acidity and soft texture.
Melrot:
2005 Baron de Boutisse $25
Where: Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France
Grape: 88% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Cabernet Franc
The most acclaimed Bordeaux 1855 Classification ranks 60 top chateaux in Medoc and Chateau Haut Brion in Graves. Despite the fact it has been 153 years since it was issued and a lot happened and changed during that time, people still refer to the Classification as a benchmark to this day. On the other hand, Classification of Saint-Emilion, created in 1954, ranking 11 châteaux into Premier Grande Cru Classe and 53 Grand Cru Classe, gets revised every 10 years. Classified as Grand Cru Classe, Baron de Boutisse is a second wine of Chateau Boutisse from the commune of Saint Christophe des Bardes. It is considered to be one of the top communes in AOC Saint-Emilion. Merlot-based wines of Saint-Emilion are more generous and approachable yet complex with an elegant structure.
2005 Havens, Merlot $15
Where: Napa Valley, California, USA
Believed to be an offspring of Cabernet Franc as well as a sibling of Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux, France. In the States, Merlot enjoyed overnight success after being featured in a report on the French Paradox in the “60 minutes” back in the 1990’s. Then came the movie “Sideways”... However some of the producers are capable of producing some wonderful Merlot and one of the good examples is Havens. Blended with 7% Cabernet Franc, this 2005 vintage shows generous ripe fruit of blackberry and plum, with smooth yet structural tannins and hints of earthiness, reminiscent of great Right Bank Bordeaux. Medium-bodied Merlot goes well with a wide range of food, especially with beef tenderloin and grilled lamb.
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