New Zealand Flashcards
1
Q
Land under vine in New Zealand
A
38,000ha
2
Q
Cool, maritime climate means what for NZ wine styles?
A
Refreshing, strongly varietal white wines, eg Sauvignon Blanc
3
Q
NZ SB style
A
Unoaked, dry
Pronounced green fruit, tropical
High acid
4
Q
First half of 20th century: most NZ wines made in what style
A
Fortified, labelled “Port” or “Sherry”
5
Q
Established dairy industry meant what for NZ farmers turning to wine?
A
High levels of safety and clealiness were second nature -> hygiene, temperature control -> clean, consistent and reliable wines
6
Q
How has NZ wine grown since 1981?
A
Huge growth!
1981: only 5,000ha, exports of 6,000hl
Now: 38,000ha, exports of 2.7million hl
7
Q
Sauvignon Blanc accounts for what % of plantings in NZ?
A
Two-thirds
8
Q
What separates NZ’s North and South Island?
A
Cook Strait
9
Q
NZ is surrounded by what ocean?
A
South Pacific Ocean
10
Q
What effect does that Pacific Ocean have on NZ?
A
Cools temperature
Maritime climate (except Central Otago, semi-continental)
11
Q
How does climate vary accross NZ’s islands?
A
South Island is generally cool
Some parts of North Island (Auckland and Gisborne) have moderate climate -> lower latitudes
12
Q
NZ’s vineyards mostly on what side of the islands?
A
East
Southern Alps protect South ISland from excessive rains and Orevailing wind from Tasman sea
13
Q
Significant aspects of NZ’s climate
A
High UV radiation
Long hours of sunlight
Large dirunal range
14
Q
Comment on UV radiation in NZ?
A
Up to 40% higher than equivalent in Northern Hemisphere
Hole in ozone layer and low levels of air pollution
Enhance colour and tannin
15
Q
High UV radiation in NZ. So what?
A
Can enhance colour and tannin development in black grapes
16
Q
NZ’s South Island has a big diurnal range. So what?
A
Helps preserve acidity in grapes
17
Q
NZ has extended daylight hours at southerly latitude. So what?
A
Increase the viable ripening period
-> grape growing possible where otherwise it would be too cool
18
Q
Why is canopy management important in NZ?
A
- more than enough rain
- high levels of UV
- long sunshine hours
- fertile soils
otherwise: excessive veg growth, too much shading, reduction in yield and quality
19
Q
Vine training height in NZ
A
Generally higher than European cool climate
-> Don’t need to be close to ground (enough sunlight)
-> High fruit zone easier to hand-harvest
20
Q
Account for high yields in NZ
A
Sufficient rain
Plentiful sun
High nutrient levels
21
Q
Planting density in NZ
A
Generally low
2,000-2,500 v/ha
22
Q
Average yield in NZ
A
High
70hl/ha
23
Q
Lot of rain in NZ. So what?
A
Humidity -> fungal disease
(particularly warmer North Island)
24
Q
Why do birds thrive in NZ? So what?
A
Very few natural predators
Cause damage in vineyards: eat grapes, damage bunches -> bacteria, fungal
Use netting and bird scarers
25
Despite high rain, there is some irrigation in NZ. Why/where?
Free draining alluvial soils
Strong winds -> increase evapotranspiration
26
How can NZ growrs protect against wind? But what problem does that lead to?
Use trees as a windbreak
BUT
Birds love trees -> damage vineyards
27
High UV in NZ can cause what problem?
Sunburn
Leaf positioning -> shade for the grape bunches
28
NZ is relatively exposed in South Pacific Ocean. So what?
Unsettled weather
Tropical cyclones etc
Potentially disrupt flowering, harvest, reduce yields and quality
29
Sustainable cert programme in NZ
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand
30
% of certified organic vineyard in NZ?
Just 5%
but wide interest in it
also: Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand
31
Organic % in Central Otago? (5% average in NZ)
17%
32
Most planted grape in NZ?
Sauvignon Blanc
62% of plantings
33
Top white and black grape in NZ
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir
34
Top three white grapes NZ
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Pinot Gris
35
Top three black grapes NZ
Pinor Noir
Merlot
Syrah
36
How does NZ Sauvignon Blanc achieve ist pronounced style?
Low ferment temperature
Neutral vessel (stainless)
Cultured yeasts -> aroamtics
NO MLF -> preserve acid, prevent dairy notes
37
When might NZ SB be chaptalised?
Beginning of fermentation if a cool year or early harvest
38
Ascorbic acid used for what in NZ SB?
Antioxidant
it and SO2 used to keep fresh after bottling
39
NZ SB: factors in vineyard that ensure ripe fruit?
High light levels
Enough water (inc. irrigation)
Careful canopy management
40
High diurnal range means what for marlborough SB?
Long growing season -> intense aromas, high acid
41
Shady vs. sunny side of canopy: what effects on Marlboroguh SB?
Sunny side: fully ripe fruit, tropical flavours
Shady side: more green pepper, grass aromas
42
Why might a Marlborough SB grower pick slightly early?
If they want herbaceous aromas
43
Mechanical harvest slightly crushes SB grapes en route to winery. So what for Marlborough style?
Skin contact with juice
-> higher level of herbaceous aroma
44
NZ SB in winery: why/how minimise oxygen contact?
refrigerating fruit -> preserve primary fruit aromas
45
Temperature/vessel for NZ SB ferment? So what?
Low temperature, stainless steel
-> retain primary fruit
46
MLF in NZ SB? Why?
Typically NO!
Preserve high acid
Retain primary fruit
47
Is there lees ageing in NZ SB? Why/why not?
Minimal, ie 2-3 months, in stainless steel
-> retain primary fruit
48
How does NZ SB producer preserve freshness after bottling?
Ascorbic acid and SO2 at bottling
Bottling under screwcap
49
Typical style of Marlborough SB is pronounced with primary fruit. What's the increasingly popular alternative? How is it achieved?
Barrel ferment
Lees stirring
Partial or full MLF
Oak maturation
Maybe skin contact
50
Typical red winemaking for high volume, fruity NZ wine
Mid-range termperature
Cultured yeasts
Neutral vessels
-> high volume, fruity wines
51
Premium NZ Syrah or Pinot: what does whole bunch do?
Gives a herbal or floral note
52
Why might a NZ producer cold macerate Pinot Noir before ferment
Premium wine
Extract more colour and aromas
53
Premium NZ red typically aged in what?
French oak barrique (Cabernet, Merlot)
Larger oak (Pinot Noir)
54
How can a NZ producer make a sweet wine?
Noble rot (premium Semillon, Riesling)
Long hang times -> late harvest
Stop ferment w/ SO2 and filtration -> leave RS
55
What % of NZ wine is under screwcap?
90%
including premium examples
56
Account for popularity of screwcap in NZ?
Historically high TCA levels
Premox
Bottle variation
New Zealand Screwcap Wine Seal Initiative 2001
57
Three sub-regions of Greater Auckland?
Waiheke Island
West Auckland
Matakana
58
Which island is Greater Auckland on?
North Island
59
Climate in Greater Auckland? So what?
Moderate maritime
High humidity
-> fungal disease
60
What style of wine is made in Waiheke Island?
Red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah
Island slightly warmer than most of Auckland
-> low diurnal range
-> mid- to late-ripening black varieties ripen fully
61
Waiheke Island: red wine style
medium to full body
black fruit
oak spice
can be outstanding
62
Waiheke Island producers include...
Man O' War
Stonyridge
63
Best-known producer in West Auckland
Kumeu River
64
Vineyard land in West Auckland not increasing (and will decrease). Why?
High cost of land in area
Increasing ubranisation
65
Which island is Auckland on?
North Island
66
Which island is Gisborne on?
North Island
67
Gisborne: land under vine halved 2009-2019. Why?
Fruit farmers get higher prices for kiwis and apples
68
Topography for most of Gisborne?
Flat, fertile floodplain (clay, loam, silt)
69
key grape in Gisborne?
Chardonnay (50% of plantings)
70
Best wines in Gisborne come from where?
Hillsides w/ poor soils
(most of Gisborne is flat, fertile flood plain)
71
Climate in Gisborne. So what?
Moderate maritime
High sunshine hours
Warming breezes from north
-> frost not an issue
-> one of first regions to harvest
72
Comment on rain in Gisborne
High levels, 1,000mm
Less need for irrigation than elsewhere
(but vigour can be an issue)
73
High rain in Gisborne plus fertile soils means vigour can be an issue. how to deal with it?
DEVIGORATING rootstocks
Precise canopy management
74
Lot of rain in Gisborne means what for harvest?
Threat of dilution or rot
Monitor weather forecasts, pick at right time
75
Two extremes of Gisborne Chardonnay style
Inexpensive, simple, fruity, unoaked
->
Premium, outstanding, full body, barrel ferment, ripe stone fruit, creamy flavour, medium to medium (+) acid
76
Other than Chardonnay, what else grows in Gisborne?
Pinot Gris
Sauv Blanc, Gewurtz, Viognier
77
Pinot Gris in Gisborne: sweetness level(s)
Dry to medium-dry
78
Significant producers in Gisborne
Lindauer
Millton Vineyards
79
Oldest wine region in New Zealand?
Hawke's Bay
80
Climate in Hawke's Bay? What's it similar to?
Moderate maritime
Similar to Bordeaux
2,180 sunshine hours
1,000mm rain
81
Hawke's Bay makes blends dominated by what grape?
Merlot
Small amounts of Cab Sauv
Bordeaux-inspired
82
Hawke's Bay sometimes compared to Bordeaux. So what?
Merlot-dominant blends made here
83
Why is Hawke's Bay sometimes compared to Bordeaux?
Moderate maritime climate
Gravelly, alluvial soils
Red blends based on Merlot
84
Best-known 2 subregions of Hawke's Bay
Gimblett Gravels
Bridge Pa
85
Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa are sub-regions of what?
Hawke's Bay
86
Significance of soil in Gimblett Gravels
Alluvial terrace, stony gravel topsoil
-> becomes warm during day, releases heat in evening
-> Syrah, Merlot and Cab Sauv can ripen!
87
What kind of wines made in Gimblett Gravels
Syrah, Merlot, Cab Sauv
Warm stony soils -> these guys can ripen
88
Dominant variety in Hawkes Bay
Merlot
89
Hawke's Bay: Bordeaux blends aged how?
French oak barrels
12-18 mths
90
Hawke's Bay has what % of NZ's Syrah plantings?
75%
(but tiny quantity: 350 hectares)
91
Hawke's Bay Syrah style
Concentrated ripe blackberry
Black pepper spice
Floral
Medium to medium (+) body
Medium (+) acid
French oak, some new, 12-18 mths
92
Most planted white variety in Hawke's Bay
Chardonnay
But also: SAuv Blanc and Pinot Gris
93
Key producers in Hawke's Bay
Craggy Range
Te Mata Estate
94
Hawke's Bay is on what island?
North Island
95
Most southerly region of NZ's North Island?
Wairarapa
96
What kind of wines are made in Wairarapa?
Focus on premium wines
Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc
97
Martinborough is a subregion of what NZ region?
Wairarapa
98
Climate in Wairarapa?
Cool maritime
Summer days can be warm but diurnal range high
-> slow ripen, retain acid
99
Account for low yields in Wairarapa
Strong winds from the Cook Strait during flowering and fruit set
Frosts, sometimes
100
Significant producers in Wairarapa
Ata Rangi
Dry River
101
Pinot Noir is what % of plantings in Wairarapa
50%
102
Wairarapa Pinot Noir style
Medium (+) acid
Red cherry, black plum
Spicy notes
Intense concentration (low yields!)
Medium to medium (+) tannin
103
Where does the Abel clone of Pinot Noir come from?
DRC!
Suited to Martinborough climate
104
Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc style (vs Marlborough)
More restrained herbaceous and fruit aromas
Same high acidity
Lower yields here -> more intensity
Wild yeast, barrel ferment and lees contact -> more texture and complexity
105
Regions on NZ's north island
Greater Auckland
Gisborne
Hawke's Bay
Wairarapa
106
NZ's largest grape-growing region?
Marlborough
Over 2/3s of plantings!
107
Modern era of NZ SB began when, with who/what?
1973
Montana Wines (Brancott Estate) -> 1,000ha of SB
108
Maori name for Marlborough (and its significance)
Kei puta te Wairau
"the place with the hole in the cloud"
very sunny region (2410 hours/yr)
109
Comment on water in Marlborough
Protected from rain by mountain ranges (it gets 650mm)
Free-draining alluvial soils
-> Irrigation necessary
(from underground aquifers)
110
Account for pronounced intensity in Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc?
High levels of sun
+
Relatively dry season
-> grapes on vine into autumn
111
Marlborough gets a long, dry growing season. So what?
Fungal less of an issue than North Island (more humid there)
112
What does machine harvest mean for Marlborough SB?
Promotes flavour precursors that -> passionfruit, green bell pepper aromas
These aromas 5-10x stronger when machine harvest (short period of skin maceration during transport)
113
Two main valleys in Marlborough
Wairau (largest)
Awatere
114
Where are vines planted in Marlboroguh?
Mostly in Wairau and Awatere valleys (valley floor)
BUT
Now more on slopes of Southern Valleys => floor space limited, and irrigation now possible here
115
Wairau soils are more fertile near the coast. So what?
Fertile soils + higher water table
-> naturally higher yields than inland
116
Other than Sauv Blanc, what is grown in Wairau (Marlborough)?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris
117
Wairau, Southern Valleys and Awatere are subregions of what?
Marlborough
118
Pinot Noir thrives in Marlborough's Southern Valleys. Why?
More clay in soils -> retain water, cool influence
Slow ripening, harvest two weeks later than Wairau
Pinot needs a long season to develop pronounced aromatics
119
What separates Wairau from Awatere?
Wither Hills
120
Awatere climate vs. Wairau?
Cooler and windier in Awatere (closer to coast and higher elevation)
121
Awatere Sauv Blanc style vs Wairau Sauv Blanc style
Wairau:
Tropical passionfruit -> grassy, herbaceous
Awatere:
More herbaceous, less tropical
Very high acid
(cooler temperatures here)
122
Sauv Blanc is what % of Marlborough plantings
70%
123
Typical Marlborough SB style
Dry
High acid
Intense aromatic
Herbaceous, floral, tropical, passionfruit
124
Why might Marlborough SB producers blend?
Blend across grapes from subregions to obtain desired range of aromas
Blend for high volume production to acquire volume
125
How is typical Marlborough SB style attained
Cool ferment temperatures
Cultured yeasts
No malo
No oak
126
Pinot Noir is what % of Marlborough plantings
10%
127
Three styles of Marlborough Pinot Noir
1. Wairau: Light body, juicy red fruit, early drinking, mid-priced. (Alluvial plain)
2. Southern Valleys: intense fruit aromas, red cherry and plum, medium-full body, oak matured, premium priced. (Clay and loess slopes)
3. Awatere: windy, thick skins, deep coloured wines, floral and herbal. Matured in oak.
128
Other than SB what other whites are grown in Marlborough?
Chardonnay
Pinot Gris
129
Two styles of Pinot Gris in Marlborough
1. light body, youthful, fresh
2. full body, riper fruit, barrel maturation
Either can be dry to off-dry
130
Significant producers in Marlborough
Villa Maria
Cloudy Bay etc
131
Where is Nelson located?
North-west corner of South Island
132
What sort of production takes place in Nelson? Why?
Small-scale production
at first, land prices were more expensive here than in Marlborough
133
Moutere Hills and Waimea Plains are subregions of what?
Nelson
134
Comment on altitude of Moutere Hills
Despite the name, elevation is 50-150m
Altitude not a significant factor
It's a subregion of Nelson
135
Nelson Sauvignon Blanc style
Restrained compared to Marlborough
Gentle, subtle stone fruit, tropical, herbal
May be barrel ferment/mature or lees stirring -> complexity
136
Pinot Noir from Waimea Plains vs Moutere Hills (NELSON)
Waimea Plains: fresh, red fruit, light to medium body, unoaked
Moutere Hills: full body, ripe, fine tannins, expressive fruit. French oak, spicy
137
Significant producer in Nelson
Neudorf
138
Two subregions of Canterbury
North Canterbury
Canterbury Plains
139
Canterbury and Nelson are located on what island?
South Island
140
Subregions of North Canterbury (itself a subregion of Canterbury)
Waipara Valley
Waikari
141
Waipara Valley slightly cooler than rest of Canterbury. Why?
Teviotdale Hills protect it from cold easterly widns
142
Significant producers in Cnaterbury
Bell Hill
Pegasus Bay
143
Climate in North Canterbury
Cool climate
But high number of sunshine hours and daytime temps can be warm
Big diurnal range
Hot winds a warming influence
144
Hot, dry north-west winds affect North Canterbury. So what?
A warming influence (cool region at low latitude)
Strong enough to damage green parts of vines
(plant trees as a widnbreak)
Fungal disease low
145
North Canterbury in the rain shadow of what? And what?
Southern Alps
So, low rain. This + hot wind -> high evapotranspiration
-> IRRIGATION NEEDED!
146
Riesling from Waipara Valley (Canterbury) style:
Expressive, intense, ripe fruit
High acid (high diurnal range)
Dry to sweet, late-harvest
147
Only NZ region with a semi continental climate?
Central Otago
(surrounded by Southern Alps)
148
Climate in Central Otago
Semi-continental (surrounded by Southern Alps)
Very dry (irrigation needed)
Warm summers, long daylight hours
High UV levels
-> easy to ripen grapes
High diurnal range -> retain acid and primary fruit
149
Comment on spring frost in Central Otago
Can be a problem (cold nights!)
Use helicopters to mix cold and hot air
150
Why is canopy management important in Central Otago?
High level of UV + hot summer days
Grapes need to be shaded on west-facing side -> protect against sunburn (hot afternoon sun)
151
What are the six sub-regions of Central Otago?
Alexandra
Gibbston
Bannockburn
Cromwell / Lowburn / Pisa
Bendigo
Wanaka
152
Which part of Central Otago gets NZ's hottest temperature?
Alexandra
yet it's sufrthest south!
153
Highest and coolest Central Otago sub-region
Gibbston
320-420m
154
Most intensively planted sub-region in Central Otago?
Bannockburn
155
Bannockburn produces what style of wine?
Ripe and concentrated
156
Warmest sub-region in Central Otago?
Bendigo
Hot enough to ripen Syrah
157
Smallest sub-region of Central Otago
Wanaka
158
Key grape in Central Otago
PINOT NOIR
70% of plantings
159
How much of New Zealand's Pinot Noir is planted in Central Otago?
one-quarter
160
Pinot Noir style in Central Otago
Very good to outstanding
Premium or super premium
Deep colour
Relatively full body
High acid
Ripe tannins
Intense red plum, black cherry
Some oak barrels, some whole cluster
161
Significant producers in Central Otago
Felton Road
Rippon
162
Other than Pinot Noir, what grows in Central Otago?
Pinot Gris
Riesling
Cool nights preserve acid and aromas
Dry to medium-sweet
163
Geographical Indications Act 2017 is what?
Law in NZ
Registers regional place names for wines in NZ
~18 names registered eg Marlborough, Martinborough, Hawke's Bay
164
Wine business problem in NZ following rapid expansion post-2000
Lots of new producers
Burden of debt after financial crisis 2008
Number of growers dropped by 40% (consolidation)
165
Domestic sales account for what proportion of NZ wine?
One-sixth
166
Routes to (domestic) market for NZ producers
Cellar door (85% of wineries do it)
Digital (now bigger than cellar door)
167
Largest export markets for NZ
USA
UK
Australia
168
Relative size of NZ production
Makes 1% of world's wine volume
7th largest exporter in value
10th largest exporter in volume
169
Bulk shipping accounts for what proportin of NZ exports?
One-third
Trend for in-market bottling
170
What % of NZ producers participate in clean and environmentally friendly credentials?
98%
171
Sauvignon Blanc is what % of NZ exports?
86% by volume
