New Zealand

Question 1

What is the predominant climate of New Zealand?

Answer 1

Maritime

Question 2

Which region in New Zealand is NOT Maritime climate?

Answer 2

Central Otago: The climate here is Continental.

Question 3

New Zealand is split into the:
_______ Island
_______ Island

Answer 3

North Island
South Island

Question 4

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

Answer 4

The Pacific Ocean

Question 5

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

Answer 5

The Tasman Sea

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Southern New Zealand Alps

Question 7

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

Answer 7

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

Question 8

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

Answer 8

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

Question 9

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

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

What is the most planted grape in New Zealand?

Answer 10

Sauvignon Blanc (>22,000 hecatres)

Question 11

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

Answer 11

・Chardonnay
・Riesling
・Pinot Gris
・Gewurztraminer

Question 12

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.

Answer 12

Pinot Noir

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah

Question 14

What are the North Island’s wine regions?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What are the South Island’s wine regions?

Answer 15

・Marlborough
・Nelson
・Canterbury
・Central Otago

Question 16

What is the leading weather hazard on the North Island?

Answer 16

Fungal disease due to heavy rainfall

Question 17

What is the wettest region of New Zealand?

Answer 17

Auckland
Fungal disease can be an issue here.

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Waiheke Island

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Hawke’s Bay

Question 20

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

Answer 20

・Syrah
・Merlot
・Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 21

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

Answer 21

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

Question 22

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

Answer 22

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

Question 23

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

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Where is Wairarapa?:

Answer 24

Southern tip of the North Island

Question 25

Which South Island region is cooler and wetter than Marlborough?

Answer 25

Nelson, the northernmost region on the South Island.

Question 26

What are 2 subregions of Marlborough?

Answer 26

・Wairau Valley (larger)
・Awatere Valley

Question 27

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

Answer 27

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

Question 28

What grapes perform best in Canterbury?

Answer 28

・Pinot Noir
・Sauvignon Blanc
・Riesling

Question 29

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

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

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

Answer 30

Central Otago

Question 31

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

Answer 31

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

Question 32

What is Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand?

Answer 32

Frost - both in the spring and autumn.

Question 33

What is Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand?

Answer 33

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

Question 34

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

Answer 34

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