New Zealand

Question 1

what is the overal climate of new zealand?

how does the south islands climate differ from the north island?

Answer 1

maritime climate

south island is cool whereas the north island is slightly warmer

Question 2

why are grapes able to reach such high levels of ripeness and sugar whilst retaining acidity?

Answer 2

a long ripening period with long sunshine hours and nights cooled by sea breezes

Question 3

what protects the vineyards on the east side of the south island?

Answer 3

mountains in the centre of the island

Question 4

what is a climate challenge and how is it dealt with in the south island?

Answer 4

rainfall

soils are free draining and do not experience waterloo however can be over fertile, leading to excessive shoot and leaf growth

Question 5

how do viticulturists deal with the excess leaf and shoot growth?

Answer 5

trellising and canopy management

Question 6

what is new zealand’s flagship grape?

Answer 6

sauvignon blanc

Question 7

what are key features of new zealand sauvignon blanc?

Answer 7

pungent intense aromas of elderflower, passionfruit and high acidity

Question 8

how do north and south island sauvignon blanc differ?

Answer 8

the warmer north produces more tropical flavour and the south has higher acidity, herbaceous, gooseberry

Question 9

what is the typical style of new zealand chardonnay?

Answer 9

concentrated citrus, tropical, subtly hints of toast and sweet spice from oak

Question 10

new zealand is experimenting with the potential for riesling, gewurtztraminer and pinot gris..
why are these varieties successful here?

Answer 10

dry autumns and cool nights ensure the aromatic compounds have plenty of time to develop

off dry is the most prevalent style

Question 11

what is the 2nd most planted grape?

Answer 11

pinot noir

Question 12

where is majority of pinot noir grown and what is the profile?

Answer 12

south island

vibrant fruit, fine tannins, high alc

Question 13

Merlot and Cab is blended in New Zealand, what role does cab play?

Answer 13

adds tannin, and cassis.

Question 14

why is the north island better suited for bordeaux varieties?

Answer 14

the warmer temperatures concentrated flavours

Question 15

there is one other grape that preforms best in warmer sites of new zealand producing a similar style to rhone?

Answer 15

syrah

Question 16

list the north island regions from north to south

Answer 16

auckland
gisbourne
hawkes bay
wairarapa

Question 17

what is an issue in auckland?

Answer 17

it is the wettest and warmest region so fungal disease is an issue

Question 18

what is the island to the east of auckland growing reputation for top quality reds

Answer 18

waiheke island

Question 19

what are the most planted variety’s of auckland?

Answer 19

chardonnay, syrah, merlot

Question 20

what is the overall climate of gisbourne?

Answer 20

high rainfall, high temps and sunshine

Question 21

what are the majority of vines in gisborne and what style are they?

Answer 21

chardonnay

ripe tropical fruit

Question 22

other than chardonnay what is planted in gisborne

Answer 22

high quality gewurtzraminer

full body pinot gris

Question 23

which area has the longest sunshine areas on the north island?

Answer 23

hawkes bay

Question 24

which area has well drained heat absorbing gravel soil on the valley floor with a high reputation for black varieties

Answer 24

gimblett gravels in hawkes bay

Question 25

what style reds have hawkes bay built a reputation on?

Answer 25

bordeaux style merlot and cab blends and premium syrah

Question 26

what is the most important area of wairarapa?

Answer 26

the area around martinborough producing pinot noir

Question 27

what is the climate of wairarapa?

Answer 27

high summer temp but a wide diurnal range

Question 28

a pinot noir that is medium to full body and ripe with hints of dark plum may come from?

Answer 28

wairarapa

Question 29

what is the major centre for growing in new zealand and what is the majority of plantings?

Answer 29

marlborough sauvignon blanc

Question 30

what is the 2 areas lying adjacent in marlborough?

Answer 30

wairau (largest) awatere

Question 31

how does the climate of wairau vary?

Answer 31

it has long sunny days however many side valleys in the south giving producers a wide range of aspects and altitudes

Question 32

what is the climate of awartere valley

Answer 32

dry, cool, windy

Question 33

how do sauvignon blancs differ in wairau and awatere differ?

Answer 33

the sauv blancs from awatere are higher acidity more herbaceous and lack the tropical fruit

Question 34

what variety’s other than sauvignon blanc are produced in wairapa?

Answer 34

chardonnay pinot noir riesling pinot gris

Question 35

a pinot noir that is medium body with fine tannins and flavours of cherry and cranberry may be from?

Answer 35

wairarapa

Question 36

the climate of nelson is cooler and wetter, which grapes are grown here?

Answer 36

sauvignon blanc pinot noir pinot gris

Question 37

what are the 2 main centres of viticulture in canterbury?

Answer 37

christchurch in the west waipara valley in the north

Question 38

how does the climate vary between waipara and christchurch?

Answer 38

christchurch is exposed to cooling from pacific northwest and a warming effect from north west winds waipara sees more of the winds and less exposure to ocean due to hills

Question 39

what are the varieties planted in canterbury?

Answer 39

sauvignon blanc, pinot noir high quality riesling in waipara

Question 40

describe the climate of central otago and risks growers face?

Answer 40

foothills of the new zealand alps spread over different valleys with different soil, aspect and altitude. continental climate frost damage is a risk in spring and autumn

Question 41

which region has a large diurnal range in summer and intense sunlight creating high alcohol in wines?

Answer 41

central otago

Question 42

a full bodies juicy pinot noir with vibrant and concentrated red fruit flavours may be from?

Answer 42

central otago

Question 43

pinot gris, riesling and chardonnay are important in which south island region?

Answer 43

central otago