New Zealand Flashcards

1
Q

What is the predominant climate of New Zealand?

A

Maritime

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2
Q

Which region in New Zealand is NOT Maritime climate?

A

Central Otago: The climate here is Continental.

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3
Q

New Zealand is split into the:
_______ Island
_______ Island

A

North Island
South Island

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4
Q

What is the body of water on New Zealand’s eastern side?

A

The Pacific Ocean

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5
Q

What is the name of the body of water separating New Zealand and Australia?

A

The Tasman Sea

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6
Q

What is the name of the mountain range on the South Island?
(hint: Central Otago is in the foothills)

A

Southern New Zealand Alps

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7
Q

What role do the Southern Alps play in the South Island’s climate?

A

The Southern Alps protect regions from cold winds off the Tasman Sea, creating a rain shadow for most regions east.

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8
Q

Which island generally sees more rain: the North Island or the South Island?

A

The North Island
The North Island is wetter and also tends to be warmer than the South Island.

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9
Q

Generally speaking, what are the differences between Sauvignon Blancs from the North Island and South Island?

A

Because the North Island tends to be warmer than the South Island, Sauvignon Blancs from the North Island show more tropical, passionfruit flavors and the Sauvignon Blancs from the South Island show higher acidity, green bell pepper, and gooseberry flavors.

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10
Q

What is the most planted grape in New Zealand?

A

Sauvignon Blanc (>22,000 hecatres)

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11
Q

Behind Sauvignon Blanc, what other white grape varietals are New Zealand producers cultivating?

A

・Chardonnay
・Riesling
・Pinot Gris
・Gewurztraminer

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12
Q

What is the most planted red/black grape in New Zealand?
Hint: it’s also the second most planted grape in New Zealand of either color.

A

Pinot Noir

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13
Q

After Pinot Noir, what other black/red grapes are cultivated in New Zealand?

A

Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah

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14
Q

What are the North Island’s wine regions?

A

・Auckland
・Gisborne
・Hawke’s Bay
・Wairarapa
・Martin borough

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15
Q

What are the South Island’s wine regions?

A

・Marlborough
・Nelson
・Canterbury
・Central Otago

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16
Q

What is the leading weather hazard on the North Island?

A

Fungal disease due to heavy rainfall

17
Q

What is the wettest region of New Zealand?

A

Auckland
Fungal disease can be an issue here.

18
Q

Which subregion of Auckland produces top-quality Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah?

A

Waiheke Island

19
Q

Which GI on the North Island is the warmest and sees the longest hours of sunshine?

A

Hawke’s Bay

20
Q

Hawke’s Bay is notable for growing which red grape varietals?

A

・Syrah
・Merlot
・Cabernet Sauvignon

21
Q

What is the subregion in Hawke’s Bay that is gaining a reputation for Syrah and red Bordeaux blends?

A

Gimblett Gravels, an area on the valley floor with well-draining gravel.

22
Q

Which GI on the North Island is known for its white wines?
Which white grapes thrive there?

A

Gisborne (high rainfall!)
・Chardonnay
・Pinot Gris
・Gewürztraminer

23
Q

Martinborough, a subregion of Wairarapa, is best known for which grape?
Why does this grape do well here?

A

Pinot Noir
Wide diurnal range allows Pinot Noir to succeed here.

24
Q

Where is Wairarapa?:

A

Southern tip of the North Island

25
Q

Which South Island region is cooler and wetter than Marlborough?

A

Nelson, the northernmost region on the South Island.

26
Q

What are 2 subregions of Marlborough?

A

・Wairau Valley (larger)
・Awatere Valley

27
Q

Which subregion of Marlborough is cool, windy, and dry?

A

Awatere Valley
Sauvignon Blancs from Awatere Valley tend to have brighter acidity and more herbaceous flavors than Sauvignon Blancs from Wairau.

28
Q

What grapes perform best in Canterbury?

A

・Pinot Noir
・Sauvignon Blanc
・Riesling

29
Q

Two areas in Canterbury are well known for wine production.
Describe each and how they are different.

A

The two areas are the plains west of Christchurch and the Waipara Valley to the north of Christchurch.

Plains
・vineyards are warmed by northwesterly winds;
・Pacific Ocean is a cooling influence;

Waipara Valley
・less Pacific influence due to protection from a range of hills;
・warmer than Plains because northwesterly winds have greater impact.

30
Q

Which region is located in the foothills of the Southern Alps?

A

Central Otago

31
Q

Central Otago’s altitude provides two things:
intense sunlight
big diurnal shifts
What effect does this have on the grapes grown there?

A

Concentrated, juicy, full-bodied Pinot Noirs with high alcohol.

32
Q

What is Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand?

A

Frost - both in the spring and autumn.

33
Q

What is Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand?

A

SWNZ is a sustainability program that sets standards for wineries committed to reducing their environmental impact.
Read more about the initiative here.

34
Q

Why have New Zealand winergrowers become experts in trellising and canopy management?

A

They’ve learned how to deal with fungal problems and vine vigor, the latter of which is seen on fertile plains.