New Zealand Flashcards
What is the trend in area under vine and exports?
- From 5,000 ha to 38,000 ha
- From 6,000 hL to 2.7 mn hL
What is the climate and why? What is the exception?
- Mostly maritime
- Because of the cool Pacific Ocean
- Exception: Central Otago with semi continental climate
Between what latitudes is New Zealand located and what are the resulting climates (temps)?
- 36°-46°S
- Cool climate on South Island
- Moderate climates in the north of the North Island (e.g., Auckland and Gisborne)
Where are most vineyards located and why?
- Predominantly on the east of the islands
- Protected by southern Alps (mitigate rainfall and winds)
What are further climatic influences?
- High UV radiation (esp. in the North)
- Long hours of sunlight (esp. in the South)
- Large diurnal range (esp. in the South)
What are reasons for the high UV radiation and what are the effects on grape growing?
- Due to the hole in the ozone layer and the very low levels of air pollution
- Promotes color and tannins
What are soil characteristics and what does that mean for vineyard management?
- Fertile soils
- Canopy management to reduce vegetative growth and shading
How are vines trained?
- VSP with two canes, sometimes four canes per vine (e.g., Scott-Henry)
- Fruiting zone is trained relatively high, because there is no reflection from the ground needed (already enough sunshine) -> makes harvest easier
What is the planting density and what are typical yields?
- Low planting densities (often 2,000-2,500 vines/ha)
- High yield per ha (roughly 70 hL/ha)
How is harvest typically conducted?
Mostly by machine as vineyards are planted on flat land
What are potential hazards?
- Fungal diseases due to high rainfall levels and humidity (esp. North Island)
- Birds eating and damaging grapes (rot) -> bird scarers and netting
- Sunburn -> Leaf positioning for shading
- Strong winds that increase evapotranspiration -> trees as wind breaks
- Tropical cyclones affecting flowering, fruit set, and harvest
What is the rainfall and is irrigation practiced?
- High levels of rainfall
- Irrigation still often practiced due to free draining alluvial soils and strong winds
Is sustainable or organic winemaking popular?
- Almost all producers are part of the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand initiative
- Less than 5% certified organic
What are the 4 main varieties (incl. %) and other varieties planted?
- Sauvignon Blanc (62%)
- Pinot Noir (15%)
- Chardonnay (8%)
- Pinot Gris (7%)
- Merlot
- Riesling
- Syrah
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Gewürztraminer
Describe the production of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in the vineyard
- Ripe fruit: high light and water levels (irrigation if necessary) + canopy management
- Intense aromas and high acidity: high diurnal range and long growing season
- Herbaceous to tropical flavors: row orientation and careful canopy management (sunny vs. shaded side)
- Herbaceous aromas: slightly early picking and machine harvesting (-> skin contact with fruit)
Describe the production of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in the winery
- Preserve primary fruit:
- Reduction of contact with oxygen (e.g., refrigeration)
- Low fermentation temps
- No malo
- Minimal ageing on lees (2-3 months)
- Promote aromatic intensity: choice of yeast
- Retain freshness: use of ascorbic acid and SO2 at bottling and bottling under screw cap
What are other trends regarding winemaking of Sauvignon Blanc or other white varieties?
- Create different styles through:
- Barrel fermentation
- Lees stirring
- Partial or full malolactic conversion
- Oak maturation
- Skin contact
What three types of red wines are produced and how?
- High-volume, fruity: mid-range fermentation temperatures, cultured yeasts and neutral vessels
- Premium Pinot Noir and Syrah: partly whole-bunch fermentation (herbal/floral note), cold maceration to extract more color and aromas, maturation in larger oak vessels
- Premium full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot: maturation in French oak barriques
How are sweet wines produced?
- Noble rot for premium Semillon and Riesling
- Long hang times for some others
What is special about the sealing of bottles?
90% is sealed with screw cap, even many premium wines (e.g., Felton Road)
North Island - Greater Auckland
What is the climate and what is the effect?
Moderate maritime climate -> high humidity -> fungal diseases
North Island - Greater Auckland
What are the three sub-regions?
- Waiheke Island
- West Auckland
- Matakana
North Island - Greater Auckland - Waiheke Island
Describe the typical style of wine (varieties, aromas, body, quality, price)
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
- Black fruit with oak spice
- Medium to full body
- Up to outstanding
- Premium price
North Island - Greater Auckland - Waiheke Island
What are climatic influences and how do they help achieve the desired style of wine?
- Slightly warmer than most of Auckland
- Low diurnal range -> helps to fully ripen black varieties
- Shelter from onshore winds
North Island - Greater Auckland - Waiheke Island
Name two significant producers
- Man O’ War
- Stonyridge
North Island - Greater Auckland - West Auckland
What is the trend in vineyard area and what is a well-known producer from here?
- Decreasing due to urbanization (cost of land)
- Kumeu River
North Island - Greater Auckland - Matakana
What wines are produced and where are they sold?
- Variety of styles
- Sold to tourist trade
North Island - Gisborne
Where are vineyards located and what is the soil?
- Mostly on flat, fertile floodplain with clay, loam and silt
- Higher quality on hillsides with poorer soils
North Island - Gisborne
What is the climate and rainfall? What does that mean for vineyard management and harvest?
- Moderate maritime climate
- High hours of sunshine and warming breezes -> low frost risk
- High rainfall (1,000 mm) -> less irrigation needed
- Canopy management needed (fertile soils and rainfall)
- Monitoring of weather forecasts to pick at the right time
North Island - Gisborne
What are the two most important varieties?
- Chardonnay (>50%)
- Pinot Gris
North Island - Gisborne
Describe the two styles of Chardonnay produced (aromas, acidity, body, quality, price)
- Simple, fruity, unoaked, inexpensive
- High-quality barrel fermented
- Ripe stone fruit and creamy flavours
- Medium to medium(+) acidity
- Full body
- Outstanding quality
- Premium price
North Island - Gisborne
Describe the two styles of Pinot Gris
- Dry to medium-dry
- Simple, inexpensive, fruity wines
- Good quality, premium priced wines with lees stirring and old oak maturation
North Island - Hawke’s Bay
What is the climate and soil? What is it similar to and what is the resulting wine style?
- Moderate maritime climate
- Gravelly and alluvial soils
- Similar to Bordeaux
- Merlot-dominant blends
North Island - Hawke’s Bay
What are the two best-known sub-regions?
- Gimblett Gravels
- Bridge Pa
North Island - Hawke’s Bay
What are the most grown varieties?
- Bordeaux varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
- Syrah
- Chardonnay
North Island - Hawke’s Bay
What three types of wines are produced from Bordeaux varieties?
- Simple, fruity, inexpensive Merlot
- Outstanding, premium-priced Merlot, blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (usually in French oak for 12-18 months)
- Deeply coloured, very good quality perfumed Malbec (single varietal or blend)
North Island - Hawke’s Bay
What is the typical style of Syrah? (aromas, acidity, body, oak, quality, price)
- THE place for Syrah (75% of plantings in NZ)
- Concentrated ripe blackberry, black pepper or floral
- Medium(+) acidity
- Medium to medium(+) body
- Often new oak (12-18 months)
- Up to outstanding quality
- Up to premium priced
North Island - Hawke’s Bay
What are the two styles of Chardonnay? (aromas, acidity, body, oak, quality, price)
- Simple, early drinking wines
- Premium wines
- Restrained grapefruit and white stone fruit with noticeable struck match character
- Medium acidity
- Medium to full body
- Barrel fermentation is common
- Good to outstanding quality
- Premium price
North Island - Hawke’s Bay
Name two significant producers
- Craggy Range
- Te Mata Estate
North Island - Wairarapa
What are the three sub-regions? What are they collectively called?
- Wellington Wine Country
- Masterton
- Gladstone
- Martinborough
North Island - Wairarapa
What is it known for?
- Intensely flavored, though elegant, styles of Pinot Noir
- Perfumed, but not overtly herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc
North Island - Wairarapa
What is the climate and its effect on grape growing?
- Cool maritime
- Large diurnal range -> slow ripening and retained acidity
- Strong winds can affect flowing and fruit set and tend to cause small grapes with thick skins (higher tannin levels of Pinot Noir)
- Frosts can be a problem -> wind machines
North Island - Wairarapa
What is the soil and its effect on grape growing?
- Free-draining alluvial gravel terraces with silt loam and loess
- Silt loam and loess provide cooling influence as they take more time to warm up than rocky soils
North Island - Wairarapa
Name two significant producers
- Ata Rangi
- Dry River
North Island - Wairarapa
Describe the typical style of Pinot Noir (% plantings, intensity, aromas, acidity, tannin, maturation, quality, price)
- > 50% of plantings
- Pronounced intensity
- Red cherry, black plum fruit with some spicy notes
- Medium(+) acidity
- Medium to medium(+) tannins
- Often matured in French oak for 12-18 months
- Very good to outstanding quality
- Premium price
North Island - Wairarapa
From where are the Pinot Noir clones? What characteristics do they have?
- Domaine de la Romanée Conti in Burgundy
- Dijon
- Flowers late -> misses bad weather
- Large berries
North Island - Wairarapa
Describe the typical style of Sauvignon Blanc (aromas, acidity, fermentation/lees, quality, price)
- More restrained herbaceous and fruit notes
- High acidity
- Some do partial barrel fermentation and extended lees contact
- Very good to outstanding quality
- Premium price
South Island - Marlborough
Describe the climate, rainfall, and soil and their effect on grape growing
- Cool climate
- Very sunny
- Good rainfall (650 mm), protected from rain by mountain ranges
- Free-draining alluvial soils -> irrigation is important
- Grapes can be kept on the vine -> very intensely flavored fruit
- Long, dry growing season -> low fungal disease risk
South Island - Marlborough
How is harvest conducted and why?
- Machine harvesting is common
- Research has shown that machine harvesting promotes the flavor precursors for passionfruit and green bell pepper aromas (5-10 times higher)
South Island - Marlborough
What are the 4 most grown varieties?
- Sauvignon Blanc (70%)
- Pinot Noir (10%)
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Gris
South Island - Marlborough
What are the three sub-regions?
- Wairau (the largest)
- Awatere
- Southern Valleys (new irrigation systems)
South Island - Marlborough - Wairau
What are the climatic influences and soil? What does it mean for grape growing?
- Less moderating influence from the ocean
- -> Greater diurnal range
- -> Greater frost risk
- Gravel, silt, sand, loam and clay soils
- -> more fertile, free-draining
- -> higher yields
South Island - Marlborough - Southern Valleys
What is the soil and its characteristics and what style of wine does it produce?
- More clay than in the rest of Marlborough
- -> helps retain water and has a cooling influence
- Slows ripening -> later harvest
- Pinot Noir: pronounced aromatics, tannins and flavors can ripen without risking very high sugar, and hence alcohol levels
South Island - Marlborough - Awatere
Where are vineyards located and what are the resulting styles of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir?
- Proximity to coast and higher elevation -> cooler and windier
- Sauvignon Blanc: more herbaceous and less tropical than those in Wairau, very high levels of acidity
- Pinot Noir: windy weather leads to smaller berries with thicker skins -> more deeply colored than in the Wairau
South Island - Marlborough
How are Sauvignon Blanc wines produced? What is the quality and price?
- Blending for style and volume
- Cool fermentation temps, cultured yeasts, no malo, no oak
- Good to very good quality
- Inexpensive to mid-priced (some premium)
South Island - Marlborough
What are the three styles of Pinot Noir?
- Wairau: Light-bodied, juicy red-fruited style, early drinking
- From alluvial plains
- Mid-priced
- Southern Valley: More intense fruit aromas
- From clay and loess slopes
- Red cherry and plum
- Medium to full body
- Maturation in oak
- Very good to outstanding quality
- Premium price
- Awatere: Thicker skin, windier, cooler
- Deeper color
- Red plum fruit and floral, herbal character
- Maturation in oak
- Good to outstanding quality
South Island - Marlborough
What are the two styles of Chardonnay produced?
- Unoaked style
- Simple citrus and stone fruit
- Medium body
- Good to very good quality
- Mid-priced
- Oaked, complex wines
- Intense citrus and stone fruit and struck match with spicy oak notes
- Dairy aromas from malo
- Yeast notes from lees stirring
- Outstanding quality
- Premium price
South Island - Marlborough
What are the two styles of Pinot Gris produced?
- Lighter-bodied with youthful fresh fruit
- Dry to off-dry
- Fermented in stainless steel at cool temps
- Good quality
- Mid-priced
- Richer, more intense wines
- Dry to off-dry
- Ripe stone fruit, honeysuckle and spicy notes
- Experiments: partial barrel fermentation, reliance on ambient yeasts, lees stirring and oak maturation
South Island - Nelson
What is the climate and climatic influences?
- Cool maritime
- Not as protected as Marlborough
- Higher rainfall (970 mm)
- High sunshine hours
- Closer to the ocean: cooling sea breezes and lower diurnal range
South Island - Nelson
What are the two sub-regions?
- Moutere Hills
- Waimea Plains
South Island - Nelson - Moutere Hills
What is the soil and resulting style of wine?
- Clay-based gravel soils with sandy loam topsoil
- Low nutrients, but able to retain water
- Wines: fuller-bodied and more concentrated, high quality
South Island - Nelson - Waimea Plains
Where are the vineyards located, what is the rainfall, soil and style of wine?
- Low-lying
- High levels of rainfall
- Alluvial soils with fine silt and clay loams of moderate fertility
- Free-draining soils -> irrigation
- Wines: lighter in body with fresh fruit characteristics
South Island - Nelson
Describe the typical style of Sauvignon Blanc (aromas, maturation, lees, quality, price)
- Restrained stone fruit, tropical fruit, and herbal nuances
- Some do barrel fermentation and maturation
- Some do lees stirring
- Good to very good
- Mid- to premium-priced
South Island - Nelson
Describe the typical styles of Pinot Noir from Waimea Plains and Moutere Hills (aromas, body, tannins, maturation, quality, price)
- Waimea Plains
- Fresh and red fruited
- Light to medium body
- Mostly unoaked or short time in oak
- Good to very good quality
- Mid-priced
- Moutere Hills
- Expressive fruit
- Full body
- Fine, ripe tannins
- French oak maturation
- Very good to outstanding quality
- Premium price
South Island - Canterbury
In what two sub-regions can Canterbury be broken down? Where are more vineyards located?
- North Canterbury (90%, incl. sub-regions Waipara Valley and Waikari)
- Canterbury Plains (10%)
South Island - Canterbury - North Canterbury
What is the climate and climatic influences, and their effect on grape growing?
- Cool climate
- High diurnal range
- -> spring frost can be an issue
- Sheltered by the Southern Alps
- -> high number of sunshine hours
- -> lower rainfall (650mm) -> rain shadow
- -> low fungal risk
- Hot, dry north-west winds
- -> warming influence
- -> can be a hazard -> trees as windbreaks
- -> irrigation necessary (wind and lower rainfall)
South Island - Canterbury - Waipara Valley
How is the climate compared to the overall region and what is the style of wine from different areas?
- Slightly warmer as additionally protected by hills to the east
- Lighter bodied wines from the flat valley floor
- More intense wines from north and north-west facing slopes
South Island - Canterbury - Waipara Valley & Waikari
How much production do they have, what are they known for, and what are significant producers?
- Roughly 3%
- Particularly Pinot Noir received strong critical acclaim over recent years
- Bell Hill and Pegasus Bay
South Island - Canterbury
What are aroma and body-wise the two different styles of Pinot Noir (incl. intensity, acidity, quality)
- Delicate, red-berried style
- Full-bodied, dark-fruited style
- Pronounced intensity
- High acidity
- Very good to outstanding quality
South Island - Canterbury
What type of Riesling does the Waipara Valley produce? (intensity, aromas, sweetness, acidity, quality, price)
- Very expressive and intense
- Ripe fruit
- Dry to sweet (late-harvest styles)
- High acidity
- Very good to outstanding quality
- Premium price
South Island - Canterbury
What are the styles of Sauvignon Blanc produced?
- A range from pronounced to more restrained
- Experiments with winemaking techniques to increase complexity
South Island - Canterbury
What two other varieties are there plantings of?
- Pinot Gris
- Chardonnay
South Island - Central Otago
Describe the climate, rainfall, and location of vineyards and their effect on grape growing
- Semi continental climate (sorrounded by Southern Alps)
- Low rainfall (360mm)
- -> irrigation necessary
- -> low fungal disease risk -> good for organic and biodynamic winemaking
- 46° S (one of the most southerly in the world)
- -> long daylight hours and high UV levels
- -> Sunburn can be a problem -> careful canopy management
- Mostly over 300 m altitude
- -> high diurnal range -> retained acidity
- -> spring frost -> helicopters are used
South Island - Central Otago
What is the soil? What is necessary?
- Range of soils: gravel to clay, with schist as parent rock
- Low in nutrients -> compost and cover crops used to improve nutrient levels
South Island - Central Otago
What are the six sub-regions?
- Alexandra
- Gibbston
- Bannockburn
- Cromwell, Lowburn and Pisa
- Bendigo
- Wanaka
South Island - Central Otago - Alexandra
What are the climatic influences and their effect on the final wine?
- Furthest south, still some of hottest summer temps
- High diurnal range (cool nights)
- -> wines with fresh fruit aromas and medium(+) acidity
South Island - Central Otago - Gibbston
What are the climatic influences and their effect on the final wine?
- Highest (320-420m) and coolest of the sub-regions
- Grapes need a bit longer to ripen
- -> wines with fresh flavors and often high acidity
- -> site selection is important (autumn frost risk)
South Island - Central Otago - Bannockburn
What are the climatic influences and their effect on the final wine?
- Most intensively planted sub-region with diverse range of soils
- Warmest and driest of Central Otago
- Ripe and concentrated styles of wine
South Island - Central Otago - Cromwell, Lowburn and Pisa
How is the climate?
Warm climate similar to Bannockburn and Bendigo
South Island - Central Otago - Bendigo
What are the climatic influences and their effect on the final wine?
- Continental climate
- Warmest of all the sub-regions (hot enough to ripen Syrah)
- North-facing slopes and terraces
- Poor stony, free-draining soils
- -> low yields of intensely concentrated wines
South Island - Central Otago - Wanaka
Describe the climatic influences
- 300m altitude
- Slightly cooler climate than Bannockburn, Cromwell and Bendigo
- Lake with moderating temperatures
South Island - Central Otago
Describe the typical style of Pinot Noir (% plantings, color, intensity, aromas, acidity, body, tannin, maturation, quality, price)
- Over 70% of plantings
- Deep color
- Pronounced intensity
- Red plum and black cherry
- High acidity
- Full body
- Ripe tannins
- Maturation in oak
- Very good to outstanding quality
- Premium to super premium price
South Island - Central Otago
What other two varieties (besides Pinot Noir) are planted and what is the style and quality?
- Pinot Gris and Riesling
- Dry to medium-sweet (Pinot Gris) / sweet (Riesling)
- Retained acidity
- Very good to outstanding quality
South Island - Central Otago
Name two significant producers
- Felton Road
- Rippon
South Island - Waitaki (North Otago)
Describe the climatic influences and resulting wine style
- Very small plantings (very remote)
- Rain shadow of the Southern Alps
- Breezes off the ocean -> moderating influence
- -> significant frost risk
- -> long and dry autumns
- Fully ripe flavors and tannins
South Island - Waitaki (North Otago)
What are the most planted varieties and the quality of wines?
- Pinot Noir
- Pinot Gris
- Riesling
- Chardonnay
- Gewürztraminer
- Very good quality
South Island - Waitaki (North Otago)
Name a significant producer
Ostler
Wine Law and Regulations
What are the general appellation laws and what changed in 2017?
- No strict appellation laws
- 18 GIs to protect their names overseas (e.g., Marlborough)
Wine Business
What is the trend regarding smaller and larger wine producing companies?
- Many smaller companies struggled with debt after the financial crisis
- Consolidation in the last 10 years
Wine Business
How much is exported, what are top export countries and how does it compare to other countries?
- > 80% exported
- USA, UK, Australia
- Produces only 1% of global production, but is 7th largest exporter by value
Wine Business
How much wine is produced?
3mn hL
Wine Business
How are NZ wines positioned on the global market and what is a disadvantage?
- Reputation for high quality wines
- High sustainability standards
- !! Very much reliant on Sauvignon Blanc (86% of exports by volume)