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Matt's WSET level 3 > C40 - New Zealand > Flashcards

C40 - New Zealand Flashcards

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1
Q

What and where is New Zealand’s nearest land mass?

A

Australia - 1900km away

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2
Q

What is the overall climate of New Zealand?

A

Maritime

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3
Q

Describe the temperatures of New Zealand’s islands

A

South Island is cool

North Island is warmer

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4
Q

The combination of …, … and … allows grapes in New Zealand to…

A

Long sunshine hours, nights cooled by sea breezes and a long ripening period
reach high levels of sugar and flavour ripeness, while retaining acidity

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5
Q

Where do the vineyards of NZ’s South Island tend to be located?

A

On the east side

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6
Q

What is the climatic advantage to NZ’s South Island vineyards being mostly on the east side?

A

They are protected from rain-bearing westerly winds here, by mountains in the centre of the island

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7
Q

What is a potentially problematic major climatic feature on the South Island of New Zealand?

A

High rainfall, despite the presence of the mountains to the west

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8
Q

Why are the vineyards well adapted to cope with the high levels of rainfall in NZ South Island?

A

Soils here tend to be free draining and so do not experience waterlogging

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9
Q

Describe the poorer vineyard sites of South Island and the result on vines

A

The land is flat and and can be overly fertile, leading to excessive shoot and leaf growth

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10
Q

How have New Zealanders adapted to problems of vine vigour?

A

They have become experts in trellising and other canopy management techniques

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11
Q

What does the New Zealand wine industry commit to as a whole? How do they set out to achieve this?

A

Reducing the environmental impact of their vineyard management and winery practices
With the initiative ‘Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand’

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12
Q

What is New Zealand’s flagship grape? Since when?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

Since the early 1990s

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13
Q

Which grape accounts for the majority of wine production in New Zealand?

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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14
Q

What are the benchmark features of Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand?

A

Pungent aromas
Intense flavours of elderflower and passion fruit
High acidity

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15
Q

What are the differences between the Sauvignons of North Island and South?

A

The north produces more tropical flavours

The south produces more acidity and flavours of green pepper and gooseberry

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16
Q

How is NZ Sauvignon usually fermented? Why?

A

In inert vessels at cool temperatures to retain fruity flavours and aromas

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17
Q

What is the role of oak in making NZ Sauvignon?

A

Some producers mature SB in oak

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18
Q

What is NZ’s second most planted white grape?

A

Chardonnay

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19
Q

What style of Chardonnay is made in New Zealand?

A

There is a variety of styles created using different techniques
The general style is led by concentrated citrus and tropical fruits with subtle hints of toast and sweet spice from new french oak

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20
Q

What have been the recent grape growing explorations in New Zealand?

A

For aromatic varieties Riesling and Gewurztraminer

Also for semi-aromatic Pinot Gris

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21
Q

Why is New Zealand well suited to aromatic varieties?

A

Dry night-times and cool night temperatures ensure aromatic compounds have plenty of time to develop before the grapes are harvested

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22
Q

Why style are aromatic grapes of New Zealand made into now?

A

From dry to sweet

Off-dry is the most prevalent style

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23
Q

What is New Zealand’s second most planted variety after SB?

A

Pinot Noir

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24
Q

Where in NZ is PN grown?

A

Widely throughout the south island

In some parts of the north island

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25
Q

What is the overall profile of Pinot Noir in New Zealand?

A

Fine ripe tannins
Soft texture
Quite high levels of alcohol
Vibrant fruit

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26
Q

What are the exceptions to Pinot Noir’s main style in New Zealand?

A

Some distinct regional styles have also emerged

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27
Q

What is the red variety with the second greatest volume in New Zealand?

A

Merlot

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28
Q

How is Merlot often used in New Zealand’s wines?

A

Blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to add tannin and notes of cassis

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29
Q

Like all New Zealand wines, its Bordeaux-style blends are noted for…

A

The purity of their fruit flavours

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30
Q

Where is production of NZ’s Bordeaux blends mostly concentrated?

A

In the North Island

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31
Q

Why is production of NZ’s Bordeaux blends mostly concentrated in the North Island of New Zealand?

A

The warmer temperatures here help to ripen black grapes

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32
Q

What is another black grape which performs well in the warmer sites of New Zealand?

A

Syrah

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33
Q

What are the Syrahs like which are produced in New Zealand?

A

Elegant and closer in style to those made in the Rhône than those from hotter countries, such as Australia

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34
Q

What are plantings of Syrah like in New Zealand?

A

Small but increasing

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35
Q

Where in New Zealand did the wine industry begin?

A

Auckland

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36
Q

Where is Auckland?

A

In the north of the North Island of New Zealand

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37
Q

What is wine production like in Auckland?

A

There are many large wineries still there, processing grapes from all over the country

38
Q

What is the climate like in Auckland?

A

It’s warm and the wettest part of the country

39
Q

What is a viticultural issue in Auckland?

A

Fungal diseases

40
Q

What are Auckland’s most planted varieties?

A

Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah

41
Q

Which island near Auckland has a particular reputation for top quality wines (particularly red) and where is it?

A

Waiheke Island, immediately to the east

42
Q

Where are the vineyards of Gisborne?

A

On the east coast in the broad estuary plain close to the town of Gisborne itself

43
Q

What is the climate like in Gisborne?

A

Temperature, sunshine hours and rain are high in the growing season

44
Q

What is the most grown grape in Gisborne? How much is grown?

A

Chardonnay

Over half the vineyards here are Chardonnay

45
Q

What are the flavours of Chardonnay in Gisborne?

A

Displays distinct, ripe tropical fruit flavours

46
Q

What else is made in Gisborne beside Chardonnay?

A

A small amount of high quality Gewurztraminer

Some full-bodied Pinot Gris

47
Q

Where is Hawke’s Bay?

A

Located close to the twin towns of Hastings and Napier

On the east coast of the North Island in an estuary plain

48
Q

What is the warmest of NZ’s main grape growing areas? What is the main contributing factor?

A

Hawke’s Bay

It has the longest sunshine hours

49
Q

How does Hawke’s Bay rate in terms of plantings in New Zealand?

A

Second only to Marlborough

50
Q

Describe soils and topography of vineyards in Hawke’s Bay

A

Highly diverse in soils, aspect and altitude

51
Q

What is the result of Hawke’s Bay’s diversity of terroir?

A

A variability in wine styles

52
Q

Where is Gimblett Gravels?

A

Hawke’s Bay

53
Q

Describe growing conditions in Gimblett Gravels

A

A parcel of well-drained heat absorbing gravel soil on the valley floor

54
Q

What is the reputation of Gimblett Gravels?

A

A high reputation for black grapes

55
Q

What grapes did Gimblett Gravels build its reputation on?

A

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

Premium Syrah is also produced

56
Q

Where is Wairarapa?

A

At the southern tip of NZ’s North Island

57
Q

How is Wairarapa organised?

A

It’s made up of a number of small vineyards spread over a wide area

58
Q

What is the most important area of Wairarapa?

A

Around the small town of Martinborough

59
Q

What is the reputation of Martinborough?

A

A global reputation for Pinot Noir

60
Q

What is the climate of Martinborough?

A

High summer temperatures, but wide diurnal range

61
Q

Describe Pinot Noir wines of Martinborough

A

Medium to full bodied

Ripe with hints of dark plum and spice

62
Q

What is the major centre for grape growing in New Zealand? Which grape makes up the majority of plantings here?

A

Marlborough

Sauvignon Blanc

63
Q

Where are most of the vineyards in Marlborough?

A

In two adjacent estuary valleys:
Wairau (by far the largest)
Awatere

64
Q

What is the climate of Wairau Valley?

A

Very similar to Martinborough with long sunny days

65
Q

Describe the geography of Wairau Valley

A

Far from uniform

Number of valleys on the southern side of Wairau Valley

66
Q

What is the benefit to producers of the side valleys available in Wairau Valley?

A

Gives producers a range of aspects and altitudes to work with

67
Q

How does the Awatere Valley compare with the Wairau Valley?

A

It’s drier, cooler and windier

68
Q

What is the effect of Awatere’s climate on wine in relation to that of Wairau?

A

The Sauvignon Blancs here have a higher acidity, with a pronounced herbaceous character
Lack the tropical fruit character found in some Wairau examples

69
Q

Besides SB, what else is widely planted in Marlborough?

A

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

70
Q

What are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir used for in Marlborough?

A

Still and sparkling wines

71
Q

Describe Pinot Noir from Marlborough

A

Medium-bodied
Fine tannins
Flavours of cherry and cranberry

72
Q

How is Pinot Noir developing in Marlborough?

A

Increasingly impressive wines are being produced from PN

73
Q

Which whites other than SB and Chard perform well in Marlborough?

A

Riesling and Pinot Gris

74
Q

Where is Nelson?

A

To the north-west of the Wairau Valley on the north coast of the South Island

75
Q

How does Nelson compare with Marlborough?

A

Cooler and wetter than Marlborough

76
Q

Which grapes dominate in Nelson?

A

SB, PN and Pinot Gris

77
Q

How many centres of production are there in Canterbury? Where are they?

A

Two
One in the plain immediately to the west of Christchurch
A larger one, Waipara Valley to the north

78
Q

Describe climate in the plain area of Canterbury

A

Particularly exposed to the cooling influence of the Pacific

Slight warming effect from the north-westerly winds

79
Q

Where in Canterbury is more affected by the warming north-westerly winds? Why?

A

Waipara

It’s less exposed to the ocean due to a range of hills

80
Q

What are the most planted varieties in Canterbury?

A

Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir

81
Q

What grape variety is Waipara specifically noted for?

A

Riesling

82
Q

Where is Central Otago?

A

Inland in the foothills of the Southern New Zealand Alps

83
Q

Describe Central Otago

A

Spread over a wide area, incorporating a number of different valleys with different aspects, soils and altitudes

84
Q

What is the climate in Central Otago?

A

Continental

85
Q

What is the biggest climatic threat in Central Otago?

A

Spring and autumn frosts

86
Q

What is diurnal range like in Central Otago?

A

Large

87
Q

What is relatively unique about wines in Central Otago and what has caused this?

A

High alcohol levels are often encountered here

Caused by high intensity of sunlight

88
Q

What accounts for the majority of plantings in Central Otago?

A

Pinot Noir

89
Q

Describe Pinot Noir of Central Otago

A

Full-bodied, juicy and vibrant with concentrated ripe red fruit flavours

90
Q

What are the other important varieties of Central Otago?

A

Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay

Matt's WSET level 3 (44 decks)

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