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WSET 3 (2nd Edition) > Chap 40: New Zealand > Flashcards

Chap 40: New Zealand Flashcards

1
Q

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

A

Located in pacific ocean and Australia is nearest landmast, at 1900km away

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2
Q

What is the overall climate of New Zealand? (Continental, Maritime, Moderate)

A

Maritime

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3
Q

Describe the temperatures of New Zealand’s islands (Cool, moderate, warm, hot)

A

South Island is cool & North Island is a little warmer

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4
Q

What are the climatic influences in New Zealand and what impact do they have on the grapes?

A

Long sunshine hours, nights cooled by sea breezes and a long ripening period allow grapes to 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? Why?

A

Tend to be located on the east side, protected from rain-bearing westerly winds here, by mountains in the centre of the island

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6
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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7
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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8
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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9
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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10
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’ that sets winery standards to help growers achieve these aims

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11
Q

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

A

Sauvignon Blanc - since the early 1990s

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12
Q

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

A

Sauvignon Blanc

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13
Q

What are the benchmark features of Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand? (aromas/flavors & acidity)

A

Pungent aromas
Intense flavours of elderflower and passion fruit
High acidity

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14
Q

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

A

The warm north produces more tropical flavours vs. The south produces higher acidity and flavours of green pepper and gooseberry

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15
Q

How is NZ Sauvignon usually fermented? Why?

A

In inert vessels at cool temperatures to retain fruity flavours and aromas, but some producers also make oak matured styles as a point of difference

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16
Q

What is NZ’s second most planted white grape?

A

Chardonnay

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17
Q

What style (and flavors) 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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18
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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19
Q

Why is New Zealand well suited to aromatic varieties?

A

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

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20
Q

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

A

From dry to sweet, but off-dry tends to be the most prevalent style

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21
Q

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

A

Pinot Noir

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22
Q

Where in NZ is PN grown?

A

Widely throughout the south island and within a few selected sites in the North Island

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23
Q

What is the overall profile of Pinot Noir in New Zealand? (Tannin, texture, alcohol, flavor)

A

Fine ripe tannins
Soft texture
Often quite high levels of alcohol
Vibrant fruit

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24
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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25
What is the red variety with the second greatest volume in New Zealand?
Merlot
26
How is Merlot often used in New Zealand's wines?
Blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to add tannin and notes of cassis making up a bordeaux style blend
27
Like all New Zealand wines, its Bordeaux-style blends are noted for what?
The purity of their fruit flavours
28
Where is production of NZ's Bordeaux blends mostly concentrated?
In the North Island
29
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
30
What is another black grape which performs well in the warmer sites of New Zealand?
Syrah
31
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 climates, such as Australia
32
What are plantings of Syrah like in New Zealand?
Small but increasing
33
Where in New Zealand did the wine industry begin?
Auckland
34
Where is Auckland?
In the north of the North Island of New Zealand
35
What is wine production like in Auckland?
There are many large wineries still there, processing grapes from all over the country
36
What is the climate like in Auckland?
It's warm and the wettest part of the country
37
What is a viticultural issue in Auckland?
Fungal diseases
38
What are Auckland's most planted varieties?
Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah
39
Which island near Auckland has a particular reputation for top quality wines (particularly red) and where is it?
Waiheke Island, immediately to the east
40
Where are the vineyards of Gisborne?
On the east coast in the broad estuary plain close to the town of Gisborne itself
41
What is the climate like in Gisborne?
Temperature, sunshine hours and rain are high in the growing season
42
What is the most grown grape in Gisborne? How much is grown?
Chardonnay by far
43
What are the flavours of Chardonnay in Gisborne?
Displays distinct, ripe tropical fruit flavours
44
What else is made in Gisborne beside Chardonnay?
A small amount of high quality Gewurztraminer as well as some full-bodied Pinot Gris
45
Where is Hawke's Bay?
Located close to the twin towns of Hastings and Napier, is situated on the east coast of the North Island in an estuary plain
46
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
47
How does Hawke's Bay rate in terms of plantings in New Zealand?
Second only to Marlborough
48
Describe soils and topography of vineyards in Hawke's Bay. What is the result on the wine styles?
Highly diverse in soils, aspect and altitude. Consequently, wine styles can vary.
49
Where is Gimblett Gravels?
Hawke's Bay
50
Describe the vineyards of Gimblett Gravels
A parcel of well-drained heat absorbing gravel soil on the valley floor
51
What is the reputation of Gimblett Gravels?
A high reputation for black grapes
52
What grapes did Gimblett Gravels build its reputation on?
Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in bordeaux style blends, but premium Syrah is also produced.
53
Where is Wairarapa? How would you describe the area?
It's made up of a number of small vineyards spread over a wide area at the southern tip of NZ's North Island
54
What is the most important area of Wairarapa?
Around the small town of Martinborough
55
What is the reputation of Martinborough?
A global reputation for Pinot Noir and is now registered as a GI
56
What is the climate of Martinborough?
High summer temperatures, but wide diurnal range makes it suitable for PN
57
Describe Pinot Noir wines of Martinborough (body, flavors)
Medium to full bodied Ripe with hints of dark plum and spice
58
What is the major centre for grape growing in New Zealand? Which grape makes up the majority of plantings here?
Marlborough - Sauvignon Blanc makes up the majority of plantings here
59
Where are most of the vineyards in Marlborough?
In two adjacent estuary valleys: Wairau (by far the largest) Awatere
60
What is the climate of Wairau Valley?
Very similar to Martinborough with long sunny days
61
Describe the topography of Wairau Valley and the impact on producers.
Far from uniform, in particular there are a number of valleys on the southern side of Wairau Valley that gives producers a range of aspects and altitudes to work with
62
How does the Awatere Valley compare with the Wairau Valley? What impact does this have on the resulting wines?
It's drier, cooler and windier. As a result, the Sauvignon Blancs here have a higher acidity, with a pronounced herbaceous character and lack the tropical fruit character that can be found in some Wairau Valley examples.
63
Besides SB, what else is widely planted in Marlborough?
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
64
What are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir used for in Marlborough?
Still and sparkling wines
65
Describe Pinot Noir from Marlborough (body, tannin, flavors, quality)
Medium-bodied Fine tannins Flavours of cherry and cranberry Increasingly impressive wines are being produced from PN
66
Which whites other than SB and Chard perform well in Marlborough?
Riesling and Pinot Gris
67
Where is Nelson?
To the north-west of the Wairau Valley on the north coast of the South Island
68
How does Nelson compare with Marlborough?
Cooler and wetter than Marlborough
69
Which grapes dominate in Nelson?
Sauv Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris
70
How many centres of viticulture 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
71
Describe climatic influences in the plain area of Canterbury
Particularly exposed to the cooling influence of the Pacific, although there is a slight warming effect from the north-westerly winds
72
Where in Canterbury is more affected by the warming north-westerly winds? Why?
Waipara, as it's less exposed to the ocean due to a range of hills
73
What are the most planted varieties in Canterbury?
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir
74
What grape variety is Waipara specifically noted for? Why?
Riesling, due to it's high quality
75
Where is Central Otago?
Inland in the foothills of the Southern New Zealand Alps
76
Describe the vineyard area in Central Otago
The vineyard area is spread over a wide area, incorporating a number of different valleys with different aspects, soils and altitudes
77
What is the climate in Central Otago? (Continental, Maritime, Med) Describe the climatic conditions and seasons and impact to the grapes.
Continental Spring and autumn frosts is a real risk Summers can be warm, but importantly for grape quality, the diurnal range during the growing season is large
78
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
79
What accounts for the majority of plantings in Central Otago?
Pinot Noir
80
Describe Pinot Noir of Central Otago (Body, Flavors)
Full-bodied, juicy and vibrant with concentrated ripe red fruit flavours
81
What are the other important varieties of Central Otago?
Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay
82
When was NZ's GI Scheme established?
2017 was when the first GI was registered
83
What are the requirements for a wine to be labelled with a GI in NZ?
A minimum of 85% of the grapes must come from the region to which the GI relates.
84
Name the GIs in NZ, that are larger than a sub-region.
New Zealand North Island South Island

WSET 3 (2nd Edition) (39 decks)

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