32. New Zealand

Question 1

What is New Zealand’s latitude range and to what city in the northern hemisphere does Marlborough correspond?

Answer 1

1) 36-46 degrees south
2) Rome

Question 2

New Zealand’s climate is predominantly what except for which region?

Answer 2

1) Maritime
2) Central Otago - sheltered on all sides by mountains with a semi-continental climate

Question 3

How does the North Island’s temperatures differ to the South’s?

Answer 3

More moderate.

Question 4

Most of New Zealand’s vineyards are found on which side of the island except for which two?

Answer 4

1) East
2) Nelson & Auckland

Question 5

What protects the south island’s vineyards from wind and rain off the Tasman with the exception of Nelson?

Answer 5

The Southern Alps

Question 6

Why is it thought that New Zealand has a higher UV level than places of a similar latitude in the northern hemisphere? (2)

Answer 6

1) A hole in the ozone layer
2) Low levels of air pollution

Question 7

What can high UV levels contribute to New Zealand’s wines?

Answer 7

Enhance the development of colour and tannin

Question 8

What makes grape growing possible in areas of the south island it would otherwise be too cool for?

Answer 8

Extended daylight hours increase viable ripening period

Question 9

Why is canopy management particularly important in many of New Zealand’s wine regions? For these same reasons yields are also high despite low density planting (3)

Answer 9

1) High levels of UV
2) 2,000+ sunshine hours
3) Relatively fertile soils

Question 10

For what two reasons do New Zealand’s grape growers tend to train vines higher than those of a similar latitude in the northern hemisphere?

Answer 10

1) High sunlight hours mean vines do not need reflected solar energy
2) Higher fruiting zones makes hand harvesting easier

Question 11

What are four viticultural hazards in NZ and why?

Answer 11

1) Fungal disease due to high rainfall and humidity
2) Birds due to very few predators
3) Sunburn due to high UV
4) Cyclonic winds disrupting flowering/fruit set

Question 12

Why is irrigation practiced in some areas despite high rainfall? (2)

Answer 12

1) Due to free-draining alluvial soils
2) High winds that increase evapotranspiration

Question 13

What two costs are associated with protecting against birds?

Answer 13

1) Bird scarers
2) Netting

Question 14

What variety accounts for 62% of New Zealand’s plantings?

Answer 14

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 15

Why is experimentation with different winemaking techniques common in New Zealand

Answer 15

Due to no GI-specific regulations

Question 16

What might be added at bottling to ensure freshness? (2)

Answer 16

1) Ascorbic acid (an antioxidant)
2) SO2

Question 17

Describe the common winemaking process for NZ Sauvignon Blanc in four steps

Answer 17

1) Low temperatures
2) Neutral vessel to retain primary fruit
3) Cultured yeasts to increase aromatics
4) MLC, maturation and lees contact are avoided

Question 18

For which variety is cold maceration commonplace and why?

Answer 18

Pinot Noir to extract colour and aroma

Question 19

What are the four main regions of the North Island?

Answer 19

1) Greater Auckland
2) Gisborne
3) Hawke’s Bay
4) Wairarapa

Question 20

What are the five regions of the South Island?

Answer 20

1) Nelson
2) Marlborough
3) Canterbury
4) Central Otago
5) Waitaki

Question 21

What are the three sub-regions of Greater Auckland?

Answer 21

1) Waiheke Island
2) West Auckland
3) Matakana

Question 22

What are the two main varieties of Waiheke Island?

Answer 22

1) Cabernet Sauvignon
2) Syrah

Question 23

Why can mid- to late-ripening varieties ripen fully on Waiheke?

Answer 23

The surrounding water leads to a relatively low diurnal range

Question 24

What is the topography of Waiheke Island?

Answer 24

Gently undulating thus allowing growers to find sheltered positions for their vineyards

Question 25

What two factors mean Waiheke Island's wines are often premium priced?

Answer 25

1) Expansion and proximity to Auckland 2) Transport costs to the island

Question 26

Two significant producers of Waiheke Island?

Answer 26

1) Stonyridge 2) Man O' War

Question 27

Why is land under vine likely to decrease in West Auckland?

Answer 27

The high cost of land and increasing urbanisation meaning many wineries based here already source fruit from other parts of New Zealand

Question 28

Why is Gisborne one of the first regions to harvest each year?

Answer 28

The moderate maritime climate with high hours of sunshine and warming breezes from the north

Question 29

Where are the majority of vineyards planted in Gisborne versus the more premium sites? (2)

Answer 29

1) Flat, fertile floodplain consisting of clay, loam and silt 2) On hillsides where the soils are poorer (premium)

Question 30

What are the main two varieties planted in Gisborne?

Answer 30

1) Chardonnay 2) Pinot Gris

Question 31

High precipitation and fertile soils in Gisborne mean grape growers need to do what? (2)

Answer 31

1) Choose devigorating rootstocks 2) Precise canopy management to prevent excessive canopy growth

Question 32

Name a significant producer based in Gisborne

Answer 32

Milton Vineyards

Question 33

Hawke's Bay is similar in climate to what French wine region?

Answer 33

Bordeaux - moderate maritime with good sunshine and rainfall

Question 34

What are the two key sub-regions of Hawke's Bay?

Answer 34

1) Gimblett Gravels 2) Bridge Pa

Question 35

Name two key producers in Hawke's Bay

Answer 35

Craggy Range & Te Mata

Question 36

What are the main varieties of Hawke's Bay (3)

Answer 36

1) Bordeaux varieties (Merlot is dominant as Cabernet can fail to ripen in cooler years) 2) Syrah 3) Chardonnay

Question 37

Describe the soils of Gimblett Gravels (2)

Answer 37

1) Stony topsoil warms during the day and releases heat into the evening aiding ripening 2) Free-draining meaning irrigation is necessary despite high rainfall

Question 38

How do the soils of Bridge Pa differ to Gimblett Gravels?

Answer 38

Alluvial gravel but has a deeper topsoil with more sand and clay loam aiding water retention

Question 39

What is a viticultural hazard in Hawke's Bay

Answer 39

Frost due to little moderating influence from the coast

Question 40

What is the main sub-region of Wairarapa?

Answer 40

Martinborough

Question 41

What are the two key varieties of Wairarapa?

Answer 41

1) Pinot Noir 2) Sauvignon Blanc

Question 42

Two significant producers in Wairarapa?

Answer 42

1) Dry River 2) Ata Rangi

Question 43

Why might Wairarapa see low yields and greater tannin presence than other areas of the country? (2)

Answer 43

1) Strong winds coming from the cook Strait during flowering and fruit set 2) Resulting in thicker skins creating wines of higher tannins

Question 44

What are the soils of Wairarapa?

Answer 44

Free-draining alluvial gravel terraces with silt loam and loess, which heat slower thus slowing ripening

Question 45

What is the clone of Pinot Noir found in Martinborough thought to have been propagated from a DRC cutting

Answer 45

Abel clone

Question 46

Why is the Abel Clone suited to Wairarapa's climate?

Answer 46

It flowers late and so misses from of the worst weather periods that could reduce yields

Question 47

What two factors mean Marlborough requires irrigation?

Answer 47

1) Annual rainfall is low to moderate s the region is protected by surrounding mountain ranges 2) Free-draining alluvial soils

Question 48

Why is machine harvesting in Marlborough commonplace? (2)

Answer 48

1) Flat landscape 2) Research has shown that machine harvesting promotes the flavour precursors that generate passionfruit and green bell pepper aromas associated with the region's Sauvignon Blanc due to the short period of maceration on skins that happens when machine harvested vs hand harvest

Question 49

What are the three main valleys in Marlborough?

Answer 49

1) Wairau 2) Awatere 3) Southern Valleys

Question 50

Describe the orientation and climatic influences of the Wairau

Answer 50

Runs east to west with lessening degrees of ocean influence further inland resulting in greater diurnal range

Question 51

Why are Wairau vineyards nearer the coast able to produce higher yields than those further inland? (2)

Answer 51

1) The soils are more fertile 2) The water table is higher

Question 52

What is the orientation of the Southern Valleys?

Answer 52

North-south

Question 53

How do the soils of the Southern Valleys differ from the rest of the region?

Answer 53

More clay leading to greater water retention

Question 54

Why does Pinot Noir thrive in the Southern Valleys?

Answer 54

Harvest can be up to two weeks later than in the Wairau due to the cooler clay soils

Question 55

Describe the location and terroir of Awatere Valley (2)

Answer 55

1) South of Wairau over the Wither Hills 2) Cooler and windier than Wairau due to higher elevation and proximity to the coast

Question 56

Why is Awatere Sauvignon Blanc more herbaceous than the rest of the region?

Answer 56

Awatere is the coolest sub-zone with the latest harvest date

Question 57

Why is Awatere Pinot Noir often deeper in colour than Wairau?

Answer 57

The conditions are windier leading to berries with thicker skins

Question 58

Besides Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc what are two other key varieties grown in Marlborough?

Answer 58

1) Chardonnay 2) Pinot Gris

Question 59

Pinot Noir destined for early drinking tends to come from which Marlborough sub-region and why?

Answer 59

1) Wairau 2) Due to the free-draining alluvial soils and marginally warmer conditions

Question 60

Why does Nelson have a similar number of sunshine days but higher rainfall compared with Marlborough? (2)

Answer 60

1) It is not as protected from the cool, wet winds from the west 2) Its rainfall tends to fall in sudden, heavy storms

Question 61

Name a producer in Marlborough

Answer 61

Cloudy Bay

Question 62

What are the two sub-regions of Nelson?

Answer 62

1) Moutere Hills 2) Waimea Plains

Question 63

What are the soils of Moutere Hills?

Answer 63

Clay-based gravel with sandy loam topsoil - low nutrient but good water retention

Question 64

How do the wines of Moutere Hills compare with Waimea Plains?

Answer 64

Fuller bodied and more concentrated

Question 65

What are the two key varieties grown in Nelson?

Answer 65

1) Sauvignon Blanc 2) Pinot Noir

Question 66

What are Canterbury's two sub-regions?

Answer 66

1) North Canterbury 2) Canterbury Plains

Question 67

Why are North Canterbury's daytime summer temperatures warm despite its latitude?

Answer 67

It is sheltered from cooler weather by the Southern Alps with a high number of sunshine hours and hot, dry winds from the north-west

Question 68

Why is irrigation often necessary in Canterbury? (2)

Answer 68

1) Hot winds from the north-west increase evapotranspiration 2) Rain shadow of the Southern Alps

Question 69

What are two sub-regions of North Canterbury

Answer 69

1) Waipara Valley 2) Waikari

Question 70

What are Canterbury's main three varieties?

Answer 70

1) Pinot Noir 2) Riesling 3) Sauvignon Blanc

Question 71

Name two significant Canterbury producers

Answer 71

1) Bell Hill 2) Pegasus Bay

Question 72

Why is Waipara Valley slightly warmer than the rest of North Canterbury?

Answer 72

Due to the Teviotdale Hills that protect it from the cold, easterly winds

Question 73

Why is Central Otago a good location for organic viticulture?

Answer 73

The Southern Alps protect it from rain-bearing westerly winds mitigating fungal disease pressures

Question 74

What gives Central Otago its high diurnal range? (2)

Answer 74

1) Southerly latitude (warm, long days) and high UV 2) 300m elevation

Question 75

What are the two main viticultural hazard in Central Otago?

Answer 75

1) Spring frost - helicopters 2) Sunburn - grapes shaded on the west

Question 76

What viticultural hazard can be found in Otago and how is it managed?

Answer 76

1) Frost due to cold nights 2) Helicopters (cost)

Question 77

Why are cover crops and compost widely used in Central Otago?

Answer 77

The soils are low in organic matter

Question 78

What are the seven sub-regions of Otago (Central and North)?

Answer 78

1) Alexandra 2) Gibbston 3) Bannockburn - warm, dry 4) Cromwell, Lowburn, Pisa 5) Bendigo 6) Wanaka 7) Waitaki (North)

Question 79

What is Central Otago's furthest south sub-region?

Answer 79

Alexandra

Question 80

What is Central Otago's highest and coolest sub-region?

Answer 80

Gibbston

Question 81

What is the most intensively planted sub-region in Central Otago?

Answer 81

Bannockburn

Question 82

What is Central Otago's hottest sub-region?

Answer 82

Bendigo - Syrah can ripen here

Question 83

What is Central Otago's most northerly sub-region?

Answer 83

Wanaka

Question 84

Why are Bannockburn's wines intensely concentrated? (3)

Answer 84

1) Semi-arid 2) Continental climate 3) Poor stony, free-draining soils Produce low yields

Question 85

Where is most of New Zealand's wine sold

Answer 85

Export - USA, UK, Australia

Question 86

Name an Otago producer

Answer 86

Rippon

Question 87

What soil can be found in Waitaki that's not found in the rest of (Central) Otago?

Answer 87

Limestone

Question 88

Where is most NZ wine sold?

Answer 88

Exported to USA, UK, Aus

Question 89

How are NZ wines seen on the world stage?

Answer 89

High quality, sustainable and environmentally friendly (Sustainable Wine New Zealand, SWNZ)