This past Monday was my 3rd wine class discussing and tasting old world vs. new world wines. Every time I talk about terroir, individuality and sublety in old world wines I seem to get the question does that mean they are better wines? For me, the answer is yes simply because I have that type of palate. I like wines that don't overwhelm you on your first taste but evolve after the first swallow. But, as I have found with most new "tasters" as in my wine school or those who are just starting to learn about, appreciate and understand wine that the consensus seems to favor the new world wines with their fruit forward and potent styles. The wines we tasted this week were:
Lucien Albrecht Reserve Riesling 2007, Alsace vs. Mercer Estates Riesling 2007- Yakima Valley, WA
Mirrabooka Shiraz 2006, South Australia vs. Paul Jaboulet Saint-Joseph "Le Grande Pompee" 2003 - Rhone, France
Annabella Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Napa Valley, CA vs. Barons de Rothschild Bordeaux 2005- Bordeaux, France
We tasted blind although after the first taste of each, I did let them know the grape variety if they hadn't figured that out. I was impressed that almost everyone was able to tell the old world from the new world with an exception here and there. But, by the end of the tasting the favorites were certainly the New World wines. I plan to have more old world wines to expand their palates in the coming weeks.
Cheers,
The Wining Woman
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