C40 - New Zealand - completed Flashcards by Micky Lo

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

Australia - 1900km away

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What is the overall climate of New Zealand?

Maritime

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Describe the temperatures of New Zealand’s islands

South Island is cool

- North Island is warmer

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

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

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

On the east side

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

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

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What is a potentially problematic major climatic feature affecting many of the vineyards on the South Island?

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

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

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

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

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

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How have New Zealanders adapted to problems of vine vigour?

They have become experts in trellising and other canopy management techniques

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

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

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

Sauvignon Blanc

- Since the early 1990s

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

Sauvignon Blanc

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

Pungent aromas
Intense flavours of elderflower and passion fruit
High acidity

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

The warmer north produces more tropical flavours

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

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How is NZ Sauvignon usually fermented? Why?

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

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What is the role of oak in making NZ Sauvignon?

Some producers mature SB in oak

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What style of Chardonnay is made in New Zealand?

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

aromatic varieties like Riesling and Gewurztraminer

- semi-aromatic Pinot Gris

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Why is New Zealand well suited to aromatic varieties?

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

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

From dry to sweet

- Off-dry is the most prevalent style

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

Pinot Noir

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Where in NZ is PN grown?

Widely throughout the South Island

- a few selected sites in the North Island

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

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

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

Some distinct regional styles have also emerged

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

Merlot

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

Blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to add tannin and notes of cassis

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

The purity of their fruit flavours

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

In the North Island

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

The warmer temperatures here help to ripen black grapes

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

Syrah

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

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

What are plantings of Syrah like in New Zealand?

Small but increasing

Where in New Zealand did the wine industry begin?

Auckland

Where is Auckland?

In the north of the North Island of New Zealand

What is wine production like in Auckland?

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

What is the climate like in Auckland?

It's warm and the wettest part of the country

What is a viticultural issue in Auckland?

Fungal diseases

What are Auckland's most planted varieties?

Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah

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

Waiheke Island, immediately to the east

Where are the vineyards of Gisborne?

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

What is the climate like in Gisborne?

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

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

- Chardonnay | - Over half the vineyards here are Chardonnay

What are the flavours of Chardonnay in Gisborne?

Displays distinct, ripe tropical fruit flavours

What else is made in Gisborne beside Chardonnay?

- A small amount of high quality Gewurztraminer | - Some full-bodied Pinot Gris

Where is Hawke's Bay?

- Located close to the twin towns of Hastings and Napier | - On the east coast of the North Island in an estuary plain

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

- Hawke's Bay | - It has the longest sunshine hours

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

Second only to Marlborough

Describe soils and topography of vineyards in Hawke's Bay

Highly diverse in soils, aspect and altitude

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

A variability in wine styles

Where is Gimblett Gravels?

Hawke's Bay

Describe growing conditions in Gimblett Gravels

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

What is the reputation of Gimblett Gravels?

A high reputation for black grapes

What grapes did Gimblett Gravels build its reputation on?

- Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon | - Premium Syrah is also produced

Where is Wairarapa?

At the southern tip of the North Island

How is Wairarapa organised?

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

What is the most important area of Wairarapa?

Around the small town of Martinborough

What is the reputation of Martinborough?

A global reputation for Pinot Noir

What is the climate of Martinborough?

High summer temperatures, but wide diurnal range

Describe Pinot Noir wines of Martinborough

- Medium to full bodied | - Ripe with hints of dark plum and spice

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

- Marlborough | - Sauvignon Blanc

Where are most of the vineyards in Marlborough?

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

What is the climate of Wairau Valley?

Very similar to Martinborough with long sunny days

Describe the geography of Wairau Valley

- Far from uniform | - Number of valleys on the southern side of Wairau Valley

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

Gives producers a range of aspects and altitudes to work with

How does the Awatere Valley compare with the Wairau Valley?

It's drier, cooler and windier

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

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

Besides SB, what else is widely planted in Marlborough?

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

What are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir used for in Marlborough?

Still and sparkling wines

Describe Pinot Noir from Marlborough

- Medium-bodied - Fine tannins - Flavours of cherry and cranberry

How is Pinot Noir developing in Marlborough?

Increasingly impressive wines are being produced from PN

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

Riesling and Pinot Gris

Where is Nelson?

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

How does Nelson compare with Marlborough?

Cooler and wetter than Marlborough

Which grapes dominate in Nelson?

SB, PN and Pinot Gris

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

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

Describe climate in the plain area of Canterbury

Particularly exposed to the cooling influence of the Pacific | Slight warming effect from the north-westerly winds

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

- Waipara | - It's less exposed to the ocean due to a range of hills

What are the most planted varieties in Canterbury?

Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir

What grape variety is Waipara specifically noted for?

Riesling

Where is Central Otago?

Inland in the foothills of the Southern New Zealand Alps

Describe Central Otago

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

What is the climate in Central Otago?

Continental

What is the biggest climatic threat in Central Otago?

Spring and autumn frosts

What is diurnal range like in Central Otago?

Large

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

- High alcohol levels are often encountered here | - Caused by high intensity of sunlight

What accounts for the majority of plantings in Central Otago?

Pinot Noir

Describe Pinot Noir of Central Otago

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

What are the other important varieties of Central Otago?

Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay

What effect to the vines growing by the high rainfall in the South Island of NZ?

flat land can be over fertile, leading to excessive shoot and leaf growth.