Old World vs New World
Old World refers to European wines that have long histories of winemaking, while New World refers to wine in emerging wine regions including North and South America that have developed over the last 200 years. Here we have 2 vs. 2 for you to taste the difference!
Envinate Albahra
Grapes: 70% Garnacha Tintorera, 30% Moravia Agria
Place: Manchuela and Almansa, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Process: The grapes were fermented with indigenous yeasts by parcel. 30% to 70% whole bunches are used, and maceration averages around 10 days before pressing with a pneumatic press. Fermentation completes in a mix of used barrels and
concrete tanks, and the wine rests on its lees for 8 months. Bottled without fining or filtering, and with only a very small addition of sulfur.
Family: Envínate (“wine yourself”) is the brainchild of Laura Ramos, Jose Martínez, Roberto Santana and Alfonso Torrente, four friends who met while studying winegrowing at the University of Miguel Hernández in Alicante. Their work, both in the vineyard and winery, is focused on exploring the ancient, Atlantic-infused terruños of Ribeira
Sacra and the Canary Islands, as well as exceptional
vineyard plots across the Iberian Peninsula. The Envínate philosophy is simple: let each parcel fully express itself in the finished wine by utilizing old-fashioned farming and winemaking methods. Albahra (Castilian for “small sea”) is named for the vineyard area in the Almansa region close to the town of Albacete, located at the southeastern tip of Castilla-La Mancha
Bottle: $35 | Glass: $15
Au Bon Climat
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
Place: Santa Barbara County - California
Process: Our first Pinot Noir release of the vintage, the 2020 Santa Barbara County, is a blend from 5 of these vineyards from two appellations. We blended wine from Bien Nacido (Santa Maria Valley), Le Bon Climat (SMV), Rancho La Cuna (SBC) Kick On (SBC), and Los Alamos (SBC). Our winemaking has changed little in 39 years; we are still making handcrafted wines using the same basic, time proven techniques. We still use François Frères French oak barrels (about 10% new) aging 10 months in barrel. The barrel aging gives the wine some depth complexity. All of our Pinot Noir goes into small barrel. Barrel work such as topping, emptying and cleaning is time consuming but is essential here at Au Bon Climat The production on this wine has increased some, but it still takes time to make fine wine.
Family: From the beginning in 1982…Au Bon Climat winery was totally devoted to making classic, Burgundian-styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County. The convergence of cool, brisk Pacific air, marine-based soils, and east-west running valleys of the area provided an ideal place for growing exceptional grapes. Hence the name “Au Bon Climat,” the French idiom for “good place”.
Forty years later, the wines have earned a world-class reputation internationally. Jim Clendenen, “The Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat, set the objective and stayed true to its course. As the fads in California winemaking have come and gone, Au Bon Climat has maintained a laser focus in producing traditional, site-specific, nuanced, iconic wines.
Bottle: $27 | Glass: $13
Familia Bonfanti
Grapes: 100% Malbec
Place: Mendoza - Argentina
Process: Élevage: 3 months in Stainless Steel Tanks with Light plate filtration.
10 days Maceration / Fermentation with selected yeasts.
Family: Familia Bonfanti is a third generation family winery located in the Perdriel sub-region of Lujan de Cuyo in Mendoza, Argentina. The estate dates back to 1915 when the grandfather planted the first vineyard to Malbec. In 2005 the family completed the construction of it’s gravity fed, micro winery located on the property. The winery owns two small vineyards; one in Perdriel, Lujan de Cuyo, planted to Malbec, and the other in Barrancas, Maipu planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Bonfanti is a small, family run operation; Roberto, the father, manages the vineyard; Sebastian, one of two sons is the winemaker; and Alejandro, the other son, runs the business side. They are situated on a beautiful plot with olive trees intermingled in the vineyards and views of the Andes to one side. Everything is farmed and produced by hand, from harvest to bottling, all on the estate.
Bottle: $17 | Glass: $8
Chateau d’Oupia
Grapes: 50% Carignan, 40% Syrah, 10% Grenache
Place: Minervois - France
Process: The "Minervois Tradition" is 50% Carignan (from vineyards up to 100 years old), 40% Syrah and 10% Grenache. It is aromatic, full and densely colored, with a long finish of dark fruits. The wine is elegant and balanced-it is both enjoyable to drink young and can age 5-7 years.
Family: André Iché inherited an impressive 13th century castle and a large estate in the barren Minervois region. Iché was never a member of his village coop, tended his very old vines and made his wines but sold everything in bulk to local négociants. One day, a Burgundian winemaker happened to be in Oupia, tasted Iché's wines, and was so enthused that he convinced Iché to bottle and market his production.
Bottle: $17 | Glass: $8