New World Fall Wines

EVERYWHERE BUT EUROPE = NEW WORLD.

These historic wine classifications — Old World & New World — designate countries where grape growing originated versus countries where vines (and expertise) were brought and planted by colonizers and then immigrants. The New World includes: all of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and more. Basically any place growing vines today outside of Europe.

Viu Manent – Colchagua Valley, Chile – Cabernet Sauvignon & Sauvignon Blanc available

Some generalizations can be made about Old World vs New World wines. Old World wines focus on the area they are from versus New World wines which tend to focus on the grape. Increasingly labels have more information, but even 10-15 years ago, many European labels just said where the wine was from, for example Chianti (the region) but not Sangiovese (the grape). You just had to know it.

Tranche Estate – Walla Walla Valley, Washington – Rhône varietals & blends available

Also, due to weather, terroir and traditional winemaking styles, Old World wines tend to be a little lighter in body, less fruity, lower alcohol, more acidic (always made to be enjoyed with food!), and drier or at least the preference was for the tannins to be present, meaning not mitigated with oak (again, great for aging and for enjoying paired with a meaty dinner). The New World style became known as fuller-bodied, fruitier, higher alcohol, and with a more pronounced use of oak, making the wines taste sweeter (butter, caramel, spice, chocolate, mocha) and less tannic.

Langmeil – Barossa Valley, Australia – Shiraz & Grenache available 

In the last decade or so, we’ve seen a lot of Old World producers start to make a more New World style, so not as acidic and tannic as their local tradition has historically been and with more fruit. These New World style wines are easier to sell as the Chianti or the Barbera isn’t so tart and the Bordeaux isn’t so dry, but you lose some of the character that makes each wine region in Europe culturally identifiable, so it’s a little bit of a bummer, too.

Southern Right Winery – Walker Bay, South Africa – Pinotage available

Changes in the New World are the flipside. From when we opened this business in the early 2000’s to 2010…2012…2015? the New World producers just kept getting bigger and bigger and more alcoholic with more oak until somehow it was just considered too much, over the top. Now, ten years on, these wines regularly show more restraint. The Australian Shiraz that we carry is pretty much medium-bodied across the board. California and Washington still have some huge reds, but it’s easy to find wines that are medium-bodied, have less alcohol and one could argue more finesse.

Catena Zapata – Mendoza, Argentina – Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Semillon/Chenin Blanc available

But enough of the history and definitions, let’s talk about some New World wines that would be great for fall:

*Whites*

Orr 2023 Old Vine Chenin Blanc • Columbia Valley, Washington • Reg $34.99 | Mixed Case $27.99

“…green-gold in color with aromas of honeydew melon and pear and straw. It's fresh, crisp, and dry with a clean mineral finish. I craft this wine thinking about the pairing with seafood and shellfish.” —Erica Orr’s tasting notes. 290 cases produced. Winemaker Erica Orr pictured right.

Cor Cellars 2022 Alba White • Columbia Valley, Washington • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19

Gewurztraminer 58%, Pinot Gris 42%. Super fun fall white! “Peach, melon, honeysuckle, plus spicy notes of pears and lychee…”—winery notes. We say: You get the fun of Gewurztraminer, but in moderation. Crowd-pleaser.

Siduri 2020 Chardonnay • Willamette Valley, Oregon • Reg $24.99 | Mixed Case $19.99

White flowers on the nose. Palate = Bosc pears, apples, a little citrus. Fine note of oak. A little almond on the finish. Great, refreshing PNW Chardonnay. Winery says: The marine sedimentary soils of these vineyards produce Chardonnays with wonderful mineral and saline-driven textures. Pairs well with seafood.

Unico Zelo 2021 River Sand Fiano • Riverland, Australia • Reg $35.99 | Mixed Case $28.79

This is the fun stuff going on in the New World like young winemakers getting ideas like pulling Shiraz that’s suffering from smoke taint and planning ancient varietals from Italy!

Dog Point 2022 Sauvignon Blanc • Marlborough, New Zealand • Reg $31.99 | Mixed Case $25.59

100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Wairau Valley. Aromas of bright fresh citrus rind with honeydew melon, nectarines & a hint of fennel. Flavors of pear, apple, citrus, lime, touch of grapefruit. Complex, well-balanced, soft, with a delicious, crisp, lingering finish. Oysters! Dungeness crab! Mussels!

*Reds*

Cedergreen 2018 Gamay Noir • Columbia Valley, Washington • Reg $25.99 | Mixed Case $20.79

Gamay Noir 95%, Cabernet Franc 5%. Exciting nose of red berries & purple flowers. Plums, cherries, wild strawberries. Great acidity. Well-balanced. Fresh. Soft tannic pull on the finish. Delicious wine. Had time to age. It's at its prime. Enjoy with harvest vegetable dinners & roasted chicken.

Vino La Monarcha 2020 Malbec • Columbia Valley, Washington • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19

100%Malbec. Nose is full of red & black plums, blueberries. Flavors add in juicy blackberries. Medium- to fuller-bodied. Smooth. Smoke on the finish.

Cairdeas 2022 Diffraction Red • Washington State • Reg $29.99 | Mixed Case $23.99

Syrah, Petit Sirah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Counoise. Nose = Rhône garrigue notes. Black raspberries, black cherries with fun, herbal components. Palate = Fuller-bodied. Lots of fruits: black cherries, dark plums. Good acidity. Nice, long, spicy finish.

Winemaker Charlie Lybecker pictured.

Va Piano 2021 The Ox • Columbia Valley, Washington • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19

”100% Cabernet Sauvignon, OX red exhibits dark fruit flavors like blackberry and plum. A warm growing climate paired with cool nights in the Columbia Valley lends this wine its elevating acidity. Rich mouthfeel is complemented by notes of tobacco, cedar, and earth.” —winemaker’s notes.

Lorelle 2021 Pinot Noir • Willamette Valley, Oregon • Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $17.59

A Pinot Noir blend from 5-6 vineyards. Small family producer. Surprising blueberry on the nose. Almost blueberry jam. Hint of raspberry. Flavors of black cherry, black raspberry, blueberry. Spicy finish. Great acid. Good food wine. Pictured bratwurst, mashes potatoes & caramelized onions. Yum!

Four Vines 2021 Old Vine Zinfandel • Lodi, California • Reg $18.99 | Mixed Case $15.19

Aromas of ripe wild berry flavors with a hefty dusting of spice and zesty pepper. Full-bodied with a juicy entry and big finish. —winery notes. This wine was made for your Thanksgiving table, so any dinner with roasted foul with a spicy chutney, sweet potatoes and the slight bitter of brussels sprouts or kale would be fantastic!

Zuccardi 2021 Q Malbec • Mendoza, Argentina • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19

100% Malbec from high-altitude vineyards (pictured with José Alberto Zuccardi & his son, Sebastian). Vinified with native yeasts. Aging in barrels and concrete. Blackberries, black cherry, red currant, black plums on the nose. Medium-bodied. Very well-balanced. Black plums & spice on the palate. Soft, smoky tannins. Delicious wine.

Terranoble 2020 Carménère Gran Reserva • Valle de Maule, Chile • Reg $22.99 | Mixed Case $18.39

100% Carménère. Berry compote on the nose, note of herbs. Smooth, super complex, medium-bodied. Flavors of ripe black- and blueberries, black cherries on the finish. Traces of green pepper corn on the finish. Fantastic value for the money.

Langmeil 2019 Rough Diamond Grenache • Barossa Valley, Australia • Reg $27.99 | Mixed Case $22.39

91% Grenache, 7% Counoise, 2% Carignan. Strawberries, raspberries, farmers market berries. A little herbal note on the nose. Medium-bodied. Great acidity. Such a lovely spread of fruit. Mind-blowing. Raspberries. Cherries. Faint eucalyptus, rosemary? Great, very flexible food wine. Winery suggests pairing it with Kessler chops, a smoked pork chop (pictured) or mushroom pie.

The Chook 2021 Shiraz/Viognier • McLaren Vale, Australia • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19 

96% Shiraz / 4% Viognier (to lighten it up & add some spice). Fine berry nose with some spice. Little note of mint. Lots of flavors: blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, marionberries. Note of licorice. Complex in a pleasant kind of way. There's oak but you don't notice it. The best kind! Amazing acidity. Makes this wine. 5 years ago, this tasted oaky. No more. And it's for the better.

Kumeu River 2020 Pinot Noir • Auckland, New Zealand • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19 

This is a fun Pinot as most of the NZ wines in the Seattle market come from Marlborough on the north side of South Island. This one comes from a island north of Auckland with grapes blended in from a new property in Hawkes Bay. “Bright cherry red /burgundy colour with lifted red fruit aromas. On the palate the wine is cool, round and fruity and with a nice hint of chalky tannin…” —winery notes.

Roodeberg 2017 Red Blend • Western Cape, South Africa • Reg $17.99 | Mixed Case $14.39

Blend of Cabernet/Merlot. Nose is like you're picking berries in the summer. Flavors of blackberries, dark plums, black raspberries with a little cedar note from the oak. Medium-bodied. Great acidity = great food wine!! Smooth finish with some fine tannins.

The table just has 1-2 bottles from each New World area. Stop by to check out our full selection and go exploring!