New wave wines
Beyond the tried and true
Ella Laloba
If you’re longing for more than a safe chardonnay or a romantic red, consider the up and coming wines from New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, Australia and Argentina.
Wine consultant Chris Jones, who worked with Bellows International in St. Thomas, defines new wave wines as those produced from new and interesting places, and approaches.
Jones notes that many more women are now winemakers, bringing certain finesse especially to whites. He offers New Zealand’s Odyssey’s Viognier by Rebecca Salmond as an example. Though New Zealand produced only about two percent of the world’s wine, Jones says it’s quite interesting, and becoming more popular since Lord of the Rings increased tourism to the region. He is partial to Daniel Schuster’s Pinot Noir.
Jones traveled to Chile and New Zealand visiting vineyards and counts among his favorites the Chilean wines produced by Montes winery.
South African wines, like pinotage are also becoming more popular.
Jones says Australia offers some high quality wines, but it is a little overproduced, so prices may be reduced. Wine lovers may know that Grange is an Australian icon, by which all Australian wines are measured. In fact Wine Spectator Magazine cited Penfold’s 1990 vintage Grange as one of best red wines in the world.
Want to explore new wave wines in the new year?
Jones, who lives in the U.S Virgin Islands names a few restaurants in the Virgins with non-traditional lists. La Tapa and Stone Terrace in St. John, Craig and Sally’s, Old Stone Farmhouse in St.Thomad. Salus Bistro and Bacchus in St. Croix are new waves worth raves.
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Ella Laloba loves wine from Australia and New Zealand
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