Old world wines with all their charm may always at the top of prestigious wine lists, but new world wines are becoming more and more popular, fooling aficionados in blind tastings and spiking the interest of even the most conservative of drinkers.
With booming economies, advancing technology and the climate change effect, the map of the world's wine regions has spread to countries like China, Greece, Slovenia and many more.
Some of these countries were at the origin of wine making and creative winemakers are reviving the old techniques to seek new tastes and bring back tradition and history to life.
Crossing borders, venturing across some of the most remote winemaking regions, we have decided to share our love for the underdogs of wine and share their stories, which may surprise more than one.
China
Image c/o winetoday.org
In 2019, there were around 450 vineyards in China that produce 1.2 billion litres of white wine each year. In comparison, France, the top red wine generating country, generates 4.2 billion litres per year. And according to some, China is set to become the second largest producer of white wine in the next two decades.
Even though wine came to China 2200 years ago, making wine from grapes (instead of rice) started in the 1970s. With vast land, China has a wide range of terrains and climates however some of the renowned regions are Shandong and Ningxia.
Bordeaux wines have had a major influence on China in terms of the grape varietals, the winemaking techniques and even the architecture of the wineries. In the past few years, China has drawn immense international attention and is becoming one of the future wine players in the market.
Some winemakers are also developing organic vineyards along the Silk Road, benefiting from pest free areas such as the Turpan Valley (Gobi desert).
Prominent Wine Regions - Shandong Province, Ningxia, Hebei and Xinjiang
Grape Varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Carménère, Syrah, Riesling, Chardonnay, Beichung, Saperavi, and Muscat.
Vineyard of Puchang which is in the middle of the Gobi Desert, and irrigated by the melting snow of the Tian Shan mountians, untouched by humans and pollution free.
Shop all Chinese wine here
Greece
image c/o winefolly
The mountainous and Medditeranean country of Greece has a diverse range of climates and is divided into 4 wine zones. These 4 zones are Northern Greece, Central Greece, Southern Greece and Aegean Islands. Although viticulture dates back to the 16th century BC in Greece and has been an important part of their culture, their wines are not well known outside the country. With 29 regions regarded as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), the cultivation is highly regulated and many wines are required to be 100% of a specific grape variety.
Greek winemakers are known for and are determined to avoid the Chardonnay and Cabernet only trap and use local Greek vine varieties such as Agiorgitiko and Assyrtiko. With a great variety of vines, Greek wines still stand apart and produce some of the most aromatic whites and full-bodied reds.
With its dry and sunny weather, Greece is not prone to pest or rot and naturally provides beautiful organic wines.
Prominent Wine Regions - Naoussa, Thessaly, Epirus, Nemea and Santorini
Grape Varieties - Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, Assyrtiko and Moschofilero
Spectacular views from the vineyards of La Tour Melas
Shop here for Greek wines
Slovenia
image c/o Think Slovenia
With a rich grapegrowing history, winemaking has existed in Slovenia long before the Romans introduced it to France, Germany or any other country. Bordered by Italy on the west, Slovenia shares a very similar wine culture to Italy in terms of the mineral-rich soil and the climate while in the east it is highly influenced by Germany.
A relatively undiscovered region, the wine here is aged in special batches often in ancient clay amphorae, two-handled narrow-necked jars, which are sunk into the ground. The production here is mainly dominated by white wines accounting to 75%. With nearly 22,300 ha of vineyards, Slovenia is divided into mainly 3 wine regions that are Podravska, Posavska and Primorska
and grows many of its local grapes variety such as Rebula or Rkatsiteli (skip the 'r' when you pronounce it).
Slovenia has been developing biodynamic and natural wines including orange wines (white grapes fermented on their skin) which are becoming very popular. (Watch Georgian wines as well)
Prominent Wine Regions - Podravska, Posavska and Primorska
Grape Varieties - Riesling, Tarminec, Rizvanec, Sivi Pinot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Carmenere and Pinot Noir
The stunning vineyards of Movia in the region of Goriska Brda on the Italian border.
Shop here for Slovenian wines
The discovery of so many regions with favourable climates has not only led to the increase in the production of the new world wines but has also immensely increased their presence across the globe and in our glasses here in Singapore.
We will be holding some interesting tastings with wines you never knew existed.
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