New World Wine Regions
USA, Australia, New Zealand, South America, and South Africa.
United States
California
Climate: Mediterranean (dry summers, mild winters) Size: 90% of US wine production
Napa Valley
- Fame: America's most prestigious wine region
- Signature: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Sub-AVAs: Oakville, Rutherford, Stags Leap, Howell Mountain
- Style: Powerful, ripe, oaky Cabernets
- Also: Chardonnay, Merlot
Sonoma County
- Climate: Cooler than Napa, Pacific influence
- Sub-AVAs:
- Russian River Valley: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
- Dry Creek Valley: Zinfandel
- Alexander Valley: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Sonoma Coast: Cool-climate Pinot, Chardonnay
Central Coast
- Paso Robles: Rhône varieties, Zinfandel, Cabernet
- Santa Barbara (Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Maria Valley): Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
- Monterey: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Other California
- Lodi: Old-vine Zinfandel
- Central Valley: Bulk wine production
Oregon
- Climate: Cool, maritime (like Burgundy)
- Key region: Willamette Valley
- Signature grape: Pinot Noir
- Style: Elegant, Burgundian-style Pinot
- Also: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay
Washington State
- Climate: Continental, dry (irrigation required)
- Key region: Columbia Valley (90% of production)
- Sub-AVAs: Walla Walla, Yakima Valley, Red Mountain
- Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Riesling
- Style: Ripe but structured, balanced
New York
- Key regions: Finger Lakes, Long Island
- Finger Lakes: Cool-climate Riesling
- Long Island: Bordeaux varieties
Australia
Overview
- 5th largest wine exporter globally
- Climate: Varies from cool to very hot
- Key grapes: Shiraz, Cabernet, Chardonnay, Riesling
South Australia (Largest Producer)
Barossa Valley
- Signature: Shiraz (old vines, some 150+ years)
- Style: Full-bodied, ripe, chocolate, vanilla
- Soil: Red-brown earth
Eden Valley
- Above Barossa (cooler, higher altitude)
- Signature: Riesling
- Style: Floral, lime, ages beautifully
- Also: Cool-climate Shiraz
Clare Valley
- Signature: Riesling
- Style: Bone dry, lime, mineral, toast with age
- Famous: Often sealed with screwcap (pioneered here)
McLaren Vale
- Near Adelaide, coastal influence
- Signature: Shiraz, Grenache
- Style: Richer than Barossa but more savoury
- Also: GSM blends
Adelaide Hills
- Cool climate (altitude)
- Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
- Style: Elegant, restrained
Coonawarra
- Signature: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Soil: Terra rossa (red limestone over limestone)
- Style: Eucalyptus/mint note, structured
Victoria
Yarra Valley
- Near Melbourne, cool climate
- Signature: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
- Style: Burgundian aspirations, elegant
Mornington Peninsula
- Maritime climate
- Signature: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
- Style: Cool-climate elegance
Rutherglen
- Specialty: Fortified Muscat and Topaque (Tokay)
- Style: Luscious, raisined, caramel
Western Australia
Margaret River
- Climate: Maritime, Mediterranean
- Signature: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay
- Style: Bordeaux-like Cabernet, elegant Chardonnay
- Quality: Premium region
Tasmania
- Coolest Australian region
- Signature: Sparkling wine, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
- Style: High acid, elegant
New Zealand
Overview
- Climate: Cool maritime
- Key grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
- Style: Aromatic, high-acid whites
Marlborough (South Island)
- Largest region (75% of production)
- Signature: Sauvignon Blanc
- Style: Pungent, passionfruit, grapefruit, capsicum
- Also: Pinot Noir (growing)
Central Otago (South Island)
- Most southerly wine region in world
- Signature: Pinot Noir
- Style: Ripe, fruit-forward, concentrated
- Climate: Continental (unlike rest of NZ)
Hawke's Bay (North Island)
- Second largest region
- Grapes: Chardonnay, Syrah, Bordeaux blends
- Style: Warmer, fuller wines
Martinborough (North Island)
- Signature: Pinot Noir
- Style: Elegant, Burgundian
South America
Argentina
Mendoza
- Location: Andes foothills, high altitude
- Climate: High desert, dry, sunny, cool nights
- Signature: Malbec
- Style: Deep colour, plum, violet, chocolate
- Also: Cabernet Sauvignon, Torrontés (aromatic white)
Sub-regions: - Luján de Cuyo: Classic Malbec - Uco Valley: Higher altitude, more elegant - Valle de Uco: Premium Malbec
Chile
- Climate: Mediterranean, Andes to Pacific
- Signature grape: Carmenère (originally from Bordeaux)
- Regions:
| Region | Character |
|---|---|
| Maipo Valley | Cabernet Sauvignon (near Santiago) |
| Colchagua | Carmenère, Syrah |
| Casablanca | Cool, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc |
| Aconcagua | Premium Cabernet |
| Bío-Bío | Cool, Pinot Noir, Riesling |
South Africa
Overview
- Location: Western Cape
- Climate: Mediterranean
- Signature grape: Pinotage (Pinot Noir × Cinsault cross)
Key Regions
| Region | Character |
|---|---|
| Stellenbosch | Cabernet, red blends, premium |
| Paarl | Diverse, Shiraz, Chenin |
| Franschhoek | Historic, "French Corner" |
| Constantia | Cool, Sauvignon Blanc, dessert wines |
| Swartland | Trendy, old-vine Chenin, Syrah |
| Elgin | Cool, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay |
Chenin Blanc
- Called: Steen locally
- South Africa's most planted grape
- Style: Dry to sweet, often great value
- Old vines: Increasingly fashionable (Swartland)
Quiz Yourself
- What is Napa Valley's signature grape?
- What is Australia's Coonawarra famous for?
- What is Marlborough (NZ) famous for?
- What is Argentina's signature grape?
- What is Pinotage?