History

Question 1

Who is responsible for the first record of actual wine production in New Zealand?

Answer 1

James Busby

-a British minister planted a small vineyard from French and Spanish cuttings at his estate in Nelson in the late 1830s

Question 2

Who was responsible for combating phylloxera in New Zealand?

Answer 2

Romeo Bragato-an Austrialian viticulturist from Victoria

Question 3

What is “six o’clock swill”?

Answer 3

• an early closing time of 6 o’clock for pubs instituted in both Australia and New Zealand during WWI.
• Lasted until 1967 in New Zealand

Question 4

What was the most planted variety in New Zealand in 1960?

Answer 4

Albany Surprise

Question 5

What improved the mean quality of New Zealand Wines in the 1980s and 1990s?

Answer 5

• a government vine pull scheme in 1986 that replaced hybrid and table grapes with Vitis Vinifera.
• an emphasis on the importance of canopy management and site selection

Question 6

What was New Zealand’s vineyard acreage in 1960 vs. 2008?

Answer 6

400ha to over 29,000ha

Question 7

What is New Zealand’s largest wine making company?

Answer 7

Montanta

• established Marlborough’s first commercial vineyard in 1973
• released the country’s first varietal wine “Gisborne Chardonnay

Question 8

What winery put New Zealand wines on the map in 1985?

Answer 8

Cloudy Bay

Question 9

Name 6 grape varietals of importance in New Zealand other than Sauvignon Blanc.

Answer 9

Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
Pinot Gris
Merlot
Riesling
Cabernet Sauvignon
Gewürztraminer

Question 10

What is the world’s easternmost/southernmost wine making country?

Answer 10

New Zealand

Question 11

Which island of New Zealand is larger, North or South?

Answer 11

South

Question 12

What mountain range divides the South Island down its spine?

Answer 12

The Southern Alps

-causes a rain shadow effect.

Question 13

What is the southernmost wine region in the world?

Answer 13

Central Otago

-lies on the 45th parallel

Question 14

True or False:

New Zealand wine on average commands a higher price per bottle than any other country in the world.

Answer 14

True

-bulk wine production is not possible due to lack of land

Question 15

Who was the first to commercially release a New Zealand wine under screw cap?

Answer 15

Kim Crawford

Question 16

Name the major wine regions of the North Island.

Answer 16

Northland
Auckland
Gisborne
Waikoto/Bay of Plenty
Hawkes Bay
Wairarapa

Question 17

Name the major wine regions of the South Island.

Answer 17

Nelson
Marlborough
Canterbury
Central Otago

Question 18

True or False:
Declaration of vintage and varietal are optional in NZ. No laws govern enrichment, acidification, pruning, yields, or irrigation techniques.

Answer 18

True