Wine offers a tickling sensorial experience more than any other alcoholic drink. The pleasing visuals upon sight of bold reds and fresh, crisp whites contained in the right wine glass, the release of aromas that slowly envelope through your nose, and the flavors of your first sip usually comes with a slight aftertaste… There’s something special about this experience. Appreciating wine means giving recognition to the labor put into winemaking, the years involved maintaining vineyards and the rich history rooted in each bottle of wine. 

Do you want to elevate your understanding about wine? Perhaps, it’s time to try exploring New World wines. If you aren’t aware of the difference, we’ve given a brief introduction of what new world wines are in our previous article. In general, the beauty of new world wines lies within its borrowed tradition of old world winemaking from European countries during the time of colonization at the same time, exploring new innovative styles of wine. 

Understanding old world wine reminds us of how long it has been since wine was first introduced to civilization. Centuries have passed yet wine continues to evolve. Today, we will explore new wines from Argentina, South Africa, and Chile!

Argentina

Argentina is the 5th largest wine producer in the world while the country’s largest city, Buenos Aires is the second to Paris in terms of wine consumption per capita! Colonization heavily influenced the winemaking process all over the world. Back in the 19th century, the Spaniards first brought wine cuttings to be grown in the Desserts of Argentina and since then Argentina continued to invest in the development of their own style.

Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bonarda are some of the most famous wines from Argentina. However, they’re best known for their Malbecs. The deep cherry to blueberry and blackberry flavors are perfect for beginners to taste which is why it’s often regarded as a beginner and was never seen as a part of a fine wine selection. It was only regarded as fine wine in 2016 when two Argentine Malbecs scored 100 points. 

If you want to try a Malbec from Argentina, we recommend:

1. Septima Malbec 750ml

Image from @bodegaseptima

Originated from Bodegas Septima, this Malbec is a perfect balance of heritage and oenological excellence.

Color: Bright ruby red perfect for medium to full-bodied glasses;

Nose: Subtle, pleasant hints of plums and figs combined with vanilla notes;

Taste: Sweet, dense on the palette with a long and persistent finish and delicate flavors of blackberries. 

South Africa

Tourists, sommeliers, and wine tasting rookies from all around the world travel to Africa and visit Cape Town to experience an exquisite wine tasting experience in their winemaking regions. Cape Town’s wine vineyard is much like Napa Valley – a perfect climate with iron-rich soil for wine production. 

The first vines planted in the country were by a Dutch Governor, Jan van Riebek. Back in the early 1650s, Cape Town used to be a refreshment station of the Spice Route between Europe and Asia. Since then, South African wine industry has gone through a series of highs and lows due to economic crisis and it was not until 1994, President Nelson Mandela ended apartheid. Africa since then has slowly progressed and Winemaking in the country also began its own kind of renaissance. Cape Town’s wine is now being served all across the globe. 

If you want to have a taste of a South African wine, we recommend:

2. Warwick The First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

Image from Warwick Wines' Website

The First Lady range of wines were made to pay tribute to Norma Ratclife. Warwick First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon is the best-known and most popular wine in the estate. The founder and the first winemaker at Warwick estate is actually a woman.

Color: Red – Bold and Structured;

Nose: layers of flowers, minerals and stones, with loads of white nectarine fruit;

Taste:  Spicy aromatics of cinnamon with a lovely hint of dried herb.

3. Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc 750ml

Image from @mulderboschvineyards

Originated from mature vines in Stellenbosch, with one component being grown in Darling. This is a great example of richly flavored Chenin Blanc from an excellent vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon is often blended with Merlot to create that Bordeaux blend. 

Color: Light white with hints of green grass

Nose: Ripe tropical aromas of mango, pineapple, and papaya with crisp and apple notes.

Taste: Defined by a delicious fine mineral texture leading onto a   succulent mid-palate. The final impression is one of a full flavoured, yet precisely poised Chenin Blanc.

Chile

Just like most new world wines, Chilean wines are also rooted with rich history and exciting development. It was during the 16th century Spain colonization when Vitis Vinifera vines were planted in the country. In the mid-19th century, French wine varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Franc, etc. were introduced. Since then, French Bordeaux wines have had a strong influence in creating Chilean wine. However, as years passed, Chilean wine went through a renewal in order to establish their own identity in the world of winemaking.

In the North of Chile, where there is an abundance of deserts, Chilean Carinas and Pais are the most popular drinks paired with hearty meats such as lamb and beef stews. While on the South Coast, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Chardonnay are major wine players since these areas in the South of Chile are filled with glaciers. 

Exploring Chilean without tasting their divine range of wine would be marked incomplete. If you want to try some of the best Chilean wines, we recommend:

4. Baron Philippe de Rothschild - Almaviva 750ml

In a nutshell, this fine wine is a blend of French Bordeaux as well as Chilean soil, climate, and vineyards. The result of this tied flavor profile is an exceptionally elegant and complex wine. Its launch was a milestone in the development of Chilean wine as it dominated the international wine market. 

Color: Red Wine

Nose: Delicate aromas of red fruits and berries blended with hints of coffee

Taste: Fills the mouth with ripe and refined tannins, strong plum red, with slight terracotta hints around the edges.

5. Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

Image from @monteswines_usa

Montes Alpha remains the most premium wine niche in Chile with top scores from Wine Spectator magazine; all with an affordable price point. 

Color: Red Wine

Nose: Aromas of ripe black fruits such as figs and blackberries

Palate: Palate enveloped with perfectly rounded tannins trigger an explosion of fruit in the mid-palate

Right now, we can’t decide whether we should order warm Argentenian Malbec paired with juicy lamb, South African Sauvignon Blanc and Prosciutto-wrapped breadsticks, or maybe Chile’s Cabernet Sauvignon and seafood pasta… After all this hustle, perhaps, it’s time to relax, unwind, and explore some New World Wines.