40 - New Zealand

Question 1

New Zealand is a wine-producing country that is best known for

Answer 1

its fresh, vibrant SB

Question 2

where is New Zealand

Answer 2

• isolated location in the Pacific Ocean
• 1900km from Australia, the nearest land mass

Question 3

climate & infl. of New Zealand

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

New Zealand viticulturists have become experts in …

Answer 4

• trellising & other canopy management techniques
  (due to their problems with vine vigour)

Question 5

Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Grapes on New Zealand (5+4)

Answer 6

1. SB
2. Chardonnay
3. Riesling
4. Gewurztraminer
5. Pinot Gris
6. PN
7. Merlot
8. CS
9. Syrah

Question 7

New Zealand’s flagship grape

Answer 7

SB

Question 8

the majority of wine production in New Zealand

Answer 8

SB

Question 9

SB in New Zealand

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

Chardonnay in New Zealand

Answer 10

• 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

Question 11

Riesling, Gewurztraminer & Pinot Gris in New Zealand

Answer 11

• 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

Question 12

the second most planted grape variety in NZ

Answer 12

PN

Question 13

PN in NZ

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

red variety with the second greatest volum in NZ

Answer 14

Merlot
(but plantings are very limited compared with those of PN)

Question 15

CS in NZ

Answer 15

• often blended to add tannin & notes of cassis
• Bx-style blend
• purity of fruit flavours

Question 16

production of Merlot & CS is strongly concentrated in … (NZ)

Answer 16

the North Island, where the warmer temperatures help to ripen black grapes

Question 17

Syrah in NZ

Answer 17

• 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

Question 18

Regions in NZ

Answer 18

North Island
1. Auckland
2. Gisborne
3. Hawke’s Bay
4. Wairarapa
–> Martinborough

South Island
1. Marlborough
2. Nelson
3. Canterbury
4. Central Otago

Question 19

Auckland
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine

Answer 19

1. in the north of the North Island, NZ
2. warm & the wettest part of NZ
   - fungal diseases are an issue
3. Chardonnay, Merlot & Syrah are the most planted varieties

Waiheke Island immediately to the east has a growing reputation for top-quality wines, particularly reds

Question 20

Gisborne
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine

Answer 20

1. vy are located on the east coast in the broasd estuary plain close to the town of Gisborne itself. North Island, NZ
2. rainfall is high but so too are the temperatures & sunshine hours in the growing season
3. 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

Question 21

Hawke’s Bay
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine

Answer 21

1. close to the twin towns of Hastings & Napier, on the east coast of North Island in an estuary plain. NZ
2. 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
3. the region built its fame on Merlot & CS in Bx-style blends, but premium Syrah is also produced

Question 22

Wairarapa
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine

Answer 22

1. a number of small vy areas spred over a wide area at the southern tip of the North Island, NZ
2. summer temperatures can be high but a wide diurnal range makes it suitable for PN
3. 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

Question 23

the major centre for grape growing in NZ

Answer 23

Marlborough

Question 24

Marlborough
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine

Answer 24

1. north in the South Island, NZ
2. 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
3. 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

Question 25

Wairau
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine

Answer 25

1. estuary valley in Marlborough, north in the South Island, NZ
2. 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

Question 26

Awatere
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine

Answer 26

1. estuary valley in Marlborough, north in the South Island, NZ
2. drier, cooler & windier than Wairau
3. 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

Question 27

Nelson
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine

Answer 27

1. to the north-west of the Wairau Valley on the north coast of South Island, NZ
2. cooler & wetter than Marlborough
3. SB, PN & Pinot Gris dominate plantings

Question 28

Canterbury
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine

Answer 28

1. between Marlborough & Central Otago, South Island, NZ
2. 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
3. SB & PN are the most planted varieties, but Waipara is also noted for the high quality of its Riesling

Question 29

Central Otago
1. where
2. climate & infl.
3. grapes & wine

Answer 29

1. inland in the foothills of the Southern New Zealand Alps, South Island, NZ
2. 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
3. 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