40 - New Zealand Flashcards
New Zealand is a wine-producing country that is best known for
its fresh, vibrant SB
where is New Zealand
- isolated location in the Pacific Ocean
- 1900km from Australia, the nearest land mass
climate & infl. of New Zealand
- maritime climate overall
- the South Island is cool
- the North Island is a little warmer
- long sunshine hours, nights cooled by sea breezes & a long ripening period
–> allows grapes to reach high levels of sugar & flavour ripeness while retaining acidity
South Island
- vy tend to be located on the east side, protected from rain-bearing westerly winds by mountains in the centre of the island
- many of the vy areas still experience plentiful rainfall, which can be problematic during ripening
- the soils tend to be free draining –> do not experience waterlogging
- those on flat land can be overtly fertile –> excessive shoot & leaf growth
New Zealand viticulturists have become experts in …
- trellising & other canopy management techniques
(due to their problems with vine vigour)
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand
- the New Zealand wine industry is strongly committed to reducing the environmental impact of their vy management & winery practices
- Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand is an initiative that sets winery standards to help growers achieve these aims
Grapes on New Zealand (5+4)
- SB
- Chardonnay
- Riesling
- Gewurztraminer
- Pinot Gris
- PN
- Merlot
- CS
- Syrah
New Zealand’s flagship grape
SB
the majority of wine production in New Zealand
SB
SB in New Zealand
- pungent aromas
- intense flavours of elderflower & passion fruit
- high acidity
- subtle differences between the styles of the North & South Islands
- warmer North: more tropical flavours
- South: higher acidity & flavours of green bell pepper & gooseberry
- most frequently fermented in inert vessels at cool temperatures to retain fruity flavours & aromas
- some producers also make oak-matured styles
Chardonnay in New Zealand
- also widely planted
- a number of different wm techniques may be explored
- great diversity between wines
- general style: concentrated citrus & tropical fruits with subtle hints of toast & sweet spice from new French oak
Riesling, Gewurztraminer & Pinot Gris in New Zealand
- over recent years NZ’s producers have been exploring the country’s enormous potential for the aromatic varieties Rsl & Gew.tr., & the semi-aromatic Pinot Gris
- dry autumns & cool night temperatures ensure aromatic compounds have plenty of time to develop before the grapes are harvested
- the wines range from dry to sweet
- off-dry tends to be the most prevalent style
the second most planted grape variety in NZ
PN
PN in NZ
- second most planted
- widely grown throughout the South Island & within a few selected sites in the North Island
- overall profile: vibrant fruit, fine ripe tannins, soft texture & often quite high levels of alcohol
- distinct regional styles have also emerged
red variety with the second greatest volum in NZ
Merlot
(but plantings are very limited compared with those of PN)
CS in NZ
- often blended to add tannin & notes of cassis
- Bx-style blend
- purity of fruit flavours
production of Merlot & CS is strongly concentrated in … (NZ)
the North Island, where the warmer temperatures help to ripen black grapes
Syrah in NZ
- performs best in warmer sites
- produces elegant wines that are closer in style to those of the Rhône rather than those made in the hotter climates of Australia
- plantings are small but increasing
Regions in NZ
North Island
1. Auckland
2. Gisborne
3. Hawke’s Bay
4. Wairarapa
–> Martinborough
South Island
1. Marlborough
2. Nelson
3. Canterbury
4. Central Otago
Auckland
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine
- in the north of the North Island, NZ
- warm & the wettest part of NZ
- fungal diseases are an issue - Chardonnay, Merlot & Syrah are the most planted varieties
Waiheke Island immediately to the east has a growing reputation for top-quality wines, particularly reds
Gisborne
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine
- vy are located on the east coast in the broasd estuary plain close to the town of Gisborne itself. North Island, NZ
- rainfall is high but so too are the temperatures & sunshine hours in the growing season
- Over half of the vines planted here are Chardonnay, which displays distinct ripe tropical fruit flavours.
A small amount of high-quality Gewurztraminer is also made here, as well as some full-bodied Pinot Gris
Hawke’s Bay
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine
- close to the twin towns of Hastings & Napier, on the east coast of North Island in an estuary plain. NZ
- the warmest of the main grape growing areas & has the longest sunshine hours
- particularly diverse with regard to its soils & the aspect & altitude of the plantings
- wine styles can vary
Gimblett Gravels:
- a parcel of well-drained heat-absorbing gravel soil on the valley floor
- has developed a particularly high reputation for black varieties - the region built its fame on Merlot & CS in Bx-style blends, but premium Syrah is also produced
Wairarapa
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine
- a number of small vy areas spred over a wide area at the southern tip of the North Island, NZ
- summer temperatures can be high but a wide diurnal range makes it suitable for PN
- the most important area is around the small town of Martinborough, which has built a global reputation for PN
- medium- to full-bodied & ripe with hints of dark plum & spice
the major centre for grape growing in NZ
Marlborough
Marlborough
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine
- north in the South Island, NZ
- most of the vy lie in two adjacent estuary valleys
Wairau: by far the largest
- climate is very similar to Martinborough with long sunny days, but this large valley is far from uniform
- a number of side valleys on the southern side of Wairau Valley give producers a range of aspects & altitudes to work with
Awatere
- drier, cooler & windier
- SB from here have a higher acidity with a pronounced herbaceous character, & lack the tropical fruit flavours that can be found in some of the wines from the Wairau Valley - grapes & wine
- SB makes up the majority of the plantings here
- Chardonnay & PN are also widely planted & both are used for still & sparkling wine production
- still PN: medium-bodied with fine tannins & flavours of cherry & cranberry
- Riesling & Pinot Gris also perform well here
Wairau
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine
- estuary valley in Marlborough, north in the South Island, NZ
- climate is very similar to Martinborough with long sunny days, but this large valley is far from uniform
- a number of side valleys on the southern side of Wairau Valley give producers a range of aspects & altitudes to work with
Awatere
- drier, cooler & windier
- SB from here have a higher acidity with a pronounced herbaceous character, & lack the tropical fruit flavours that can be found in some of the wines from the Wairau Valley
Awatere
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine
- estuary valley in Marlborough, north in the South Island, NZ
- drier, cooler & windier than Wairau
- SB from here have a higher acidity with a pronounced herbaceous character, & lack the tropical fruit flavours that can be found in some of the wines from the Wairau Valley
Nelson
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine
- to the north-west of the Wairau Valley on the north coast of South Island, NZ
- cooler & wetter than Marlborough
- SB, PN & Pinot Gris dominate plantings
Canterbury
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine
- between Marlborough & Central Otago, South Island, NZ
- climate & infl.
- 2 main centres of viticulture: one in the plain immediately to the west of the town of Christchurch & a larger one Waipara Valley, to the north
- the plain area is particularly exposed to the cooling influence of the Pacific although there is a slight warming effect from north-westerly winds
- the impact of these warm winds is more marked in Waipara, which is less exposed to the ocean due to a range of hills - SB & PN are the most planted varieties, but Waipara is also noted for the high quality of its Riesling
Central Otago
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine
- inland in the foothills of the Southern New Zealand Alps, South Island, NZ
- climate & infl.
- the vy area itself is spread over a wide area incorporating a number of different valleys with different aspects, soil & altitudes
- in contrast to the rest of NZ, the climate here is continental
- frost damage is a real risk both in spring & autumn
- summers can be warm but the dirunal range in the growing season is large
- the intensity of sunlight is very high, which accounts for the high levels of alcohol that are often encountered in the wines from here - grapes & wine
- high alcohol
- PN accounts for the vast majority of the plantings in Central Otago
–> full-bodied, juicy & vibrant with concentrated ripe red fruit flavours
- the other important varieties are Pinot Gris, Riesling & Chardonnay
