New Zealand Flashcards
In gerneral, what climate does New Zealand have?
Maritime, plentiful rain with long sunshine hours and sea breezes.
New Zealand is divided into two main islands, what are they called?
North Island
South Island
What is the climate for most of the South Island of New Zealand?
Cool maritime
Which of New Zealand’s two Islands is warmer?
North Island
What climatic conditions allow New Zealand’s wines to reach full sugar and flavour ripeness with high acidity levels?
Long sunshine hours
Long ripening season
Nights cooled by sea breezes
New Zealand vineyards have plentiful rain and are usually planted on fertile flat valleys. How does the vine respond to this?
Excessive shoot and leaf growth.
Why do New Zealand’s vineyards typically not get water logged from the plentiful rain?
Soils tend to be free draining.
The plentiful rain and fertile soils in New Zealand means high vigour vines. How do New Zealand viticulturists overcome this?
Expertise in trellising and other canopy management techniques.
What initiative in New Zealand is helping to reduce the environmental impact of its wine production?
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand
What is New Zealand’s flagship grape variety?
Sauvignon Blanc
The North and South Islands of New Zealand both produce Sauvignon Blanc. From the descriptions below which one is for the North Island and which is for the South Island?
High Acidity, intense elderflower, passion fruit, green bell pepper & gooseberry
High acidity, intense elderflower, passion fruit & tropical fruit
South Island:
High Acidity, intense elderflower, passion fruit, green bell pepper & gooseberry
North Island:
High acidity, intense elderflower, passion fruit & tropical fruit
What type of fermentation vessel and fermentation temperatures are most frequently used in producing New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc?
Inert vessels Stainless steel common
Cool fermentation temperatures to preserve fruit aromas
Which grape variety makes this style of white wine from New Zealand?
Concentrated citrus and tropical fruits, with hints of toast and sweet spice from new French oak?
Chardonnay
Why are New Zealand aromatic wines so intense?
Dry autumns and cool night temperatures ensure aromatic grape varieties have plenty of time to develop before harvest.
What is New Zealand’s second most planted grape variety and number one black grape variety?
Pinot Noir
While distinct regional styles exist in New Zealand, which black grape variety grown in New Zealand does this describe?
High levels of alcohol, fine ripe tannins, soft texture & vibrant fruit
Pinot Noir
What is New Zealand second most planted black grape variety?
Merlot
What is often blended with Merlot to add tannins and blackcurrant (cassis) to make a Bordeaux style?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah from New Zealand is often similar to which of these: Australia or the Rhône?
The Rhône
In New Zealand, on which Island are much of the red wines made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon?
The warmer North Island.
Where is Gisborne located in New Zealand?
East coast of the North Island, to the north of Hawkes Bay.
What can be said about Gisborne’s rainfall and sunshine?
High rainfall, high sunshine hours.
Which grape variety from Gisborne makes up over half the plantings and produces wines with ripe tropical flavours?
Chardonnay
Summarise Gisborne’s climate, key grapes and styles.
Gisborne
(Moderate) maritime
High rainfall, high sunshine hours
Chardonnay tropical fruit flavours
Where is Hawke’s Bay located in New Zealand?
East coast of the North Island, to the south of Gisborne.
What can be said about Hawkes Bay’s compared to other parts of New Zealand and sunshine hours?
Longest sunshine hours in New Zealand
Warmest main growing region
What are the main black grape varieties grown in Hawke’s Bay?
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Shiraz