New Zealand

Question 1

In gerneral, what climate does New Zealand have?

Answer 1

Maritime, plentiful rain with long sunshine hours and sea breezes.

Question 2

New Zealand is divided into two main islands, what are they called?

Answer 2

North Island
South Island

Question 3

What is the climate for most of the South Island of New Zealand?

Answer 3

Cool maritime

Question 4

Which of New Zealand’s two Islands is warmer?

Answer 4

North Island

Question 5

What climatic conditions allow New Zealand’s wines to reach full sugar and flavour ripeness with high acidity levels?

Answer 5

Long sunshine hours
Long ripening season
Nights cooled by sea breezes

Question 6

New Zealand vineyards have plentiful rain and are usually planted on fertile flat valleys. How does the vine respond to this?

Answer 6

Excessive shoot and leaf growth.

Question 7

Why do New Zealand’s vineyards typically not get water logged from the plentiful rain?

Answer 7

Soils tend to be free draining.

Question 8

The plentiful rain and fertile soils in New Zealand means high vigour vines. How do New Zealand viticulturists overcome this?

Answer 8

Expertise in trellising and other canopy management techniques.

Question 9

What initiative in New Zealand is helping to reduce the environmental impact of its wine production?

Answer 9

Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand

Question 10

What is New Zealand’s flagship grape variety?

Answer 10

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 11

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

Answer 11

South Island:
High Acidity, intense elderflower, passion fruit, green bell pepper & gooseberry
North Island:
High acidity, intense elderflower, passion fruit & tropical fruit

Question 12

What type of fermentation vessel and fermentation temperatures are most frequently used in producing New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 12

Inert vessels Stainless steel common
Cool fermentation temperatures to preserve fruit aromas

Question 13

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?

Answer 13

Chardonnay

Question 14

Why are New Zealand aromatic wines so intense?

Answer 14

Dry autumns and cool night temperatures ensure aromatic grape varieties have plenty of time to develop before harvest.

Question 15

What is New Zealand’s second most planted grape variety and number one black grape variety?

Answer 15

Pinot Noir

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Pinot Noir

Question 17

What is New Zealand second most planted black grape variety?

Answer 17

Merlot

Question 18

What is often blended with Merlot to add tannins and blackcurrant (cassis) to make a Bordeaux style?

Answer 18

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 19

Syrah from New Zealand is often similar to which of these: Australia or the Rhône?

Answer 19

The Rhône

Question 20

In New Zealand, on which Island are much of the red wines made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 20

The warmer North Island.

Question 21

Where is Gisborne located in New Zealand?

Answer 21

East coast of the North Island, to the north of Hawkes Bay.

Question 22

What can be said about Gisborne’s rainfall and sunshine?

Answer 22

High rainfall, high sunshine hours.

Question 23

Which grape variety from Gisborne makes up over half the plantings and produces wines with ripe tropical flavours?

Answer 23

Chardonnay

Question 24

Summarise Gisborne’s climate, key grapes and styles.

Answer 24

Gisborne
(Moderate) maritime
High rainfall, high sunshine hours
Chardonnay tropical fruit flavours

Question 25

Where is Hawke's Bay located in New Zealand?

Answer 25

East coast of the North Island, to the south of Gisborne.

Question 26

What can be said about Hawkes Bay's compared to other parts of New Zealand and sunshine hours?

Answer 26

Longest sunshine hours in New Zealand Warmest main growing region

Question 27

What are the main black grape varieties grown in Hawke's Bay?

Answer 27

Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

Question 28

Hawke's Bay has a reputation for Bordeaux blends from which two grape varieties?

Answer 28

Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 29

How does the gravel from the Hawke's Bay sub-region of Gimblett Gravels improve the quality of the grapes/wine?

Answer 29

Gravel: Well drained Heat absorbing, aiding ripeness

Question 30

Summarise Hawke's Bay's climate, key grapes and styles.

Answer 30

Hawke's Bay (Moderate) maritime Warmest main growing region Longest sunshine hours in New Zealand Bordeaux blends Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah Gimblett Gravels Well drained with warming gravel.

Question 31

Where is Martinborough located in New Zealand?

Answer 31

Located in Wairarapa at the southern end of New Zealand's North Island.

Question 32

Which grape variety has Martinborough built a global reputation upon?

Answer 32

Pinot Noir

Question 33

Martinborough has high summer temperatures, but what helps it produce high quality Pinot Noir?

Answer 33

High diurnals Holds on to acidity

Question 34

Which grape variety from Martinborough, at the southern end of the North Island, produces wines described below? Medium to full bodied with ripe dark plum and spice aromas.

Answer 34

Pinot Noir

Question 35

Summarise Martinborough's climate, sub-regions, key grapes and styles.

Answer 35

Martinborough Cool maritime (same as Wairau Valley) High diurnals Pinot Noir Medium to full bodied ripe, dark plum and spice

Question 36

Which region is the major centre for grape growing in New Zealand?

Answer 36

Marlborough

Question 37

Where is Marlborough located?

Answer 37

Northern end of the South Island of New Zealand, to the east of Nelson.

Question 38

Which grape variety makes up the majority of plantings in New Zealand's Marlborough region?

Answer 38

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 39

Which other region has a climate similar to Marlborough's Wairau Valley, with long days and high diurnals?

Answer 39

Martinborough

Question 40

The southern part of Marlborough's Wairau Valley is different from the main valley. How?

Answer 40

Hilly, with aspect and altitude variation.

Question 41

How does Marlborough's southern Awatere Valley climate differ to the Wairau Valley?

Answer 41

Awatere is: Drier Cooler More windy

Question 42

New Zealand's Marlborough region has two distinct valleys, Wairau and Awatere. Match the valley to the two descriptions of Sauvignon Blanc below. Tropical fruit character Higher acidity, pronounced herbaceous character

Answer 42

Wairau: Tropical fruit character Awatere: Higher acidity, pronounced herbaceous character

Question 43

Marlborough grows both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They are often blended togethe to create what type of wine?

Answer 43

Sparkling wine

Question 44

Which grape variety from Marlborough creates wines that are medium bodied, fine tannins with cherry and cranberry aromas?

Answer 44

Pinot Noir

Question 45

Summarise Marlborough's climate, sub-regions, key grapes and styles.

Answer 45

Marlborough Cool maritime Sparkling wine Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling Pinot Noir medium bodied, fine tannins with cherry and cranberry aroma Wairau Valley Northern flat valley with southern hills giving aspect & altitude Sauvignon Blanc tropical fruit Awatere Valley Drier, cooler, windier South of Wairau Sauvignon Blanc higher acidity, pronounced herbaceous

Question 46

Where is Nelson located?

Answer 46

Top of the South Island of New Zealand, west of Marlborough's Wairau Valley.

Question 47

Which two white grape varieties and one black variety form the dominant plantings in New Zealand's Nelson?

Answer 47

White: Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris Red: Pinot Noir

Question 48

What is Nelson's climate and how does it compare to neighbouring Marlborough?

Answer 48

Cool maritime Cooler & wetter than Marlborough.

Question 49

Summarise Nelson's climate & key grape varieties.

Answer 49

Nelson Cool maritime, cooler & wetter than Marlborough Pinot Noir Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris

Question 50

Where is Canterbury located in New Zealand?

Answer 50

The east coast of the South Island near the middle of the Island.

Question 51

Which of these two sub-regions in Canterbury is the largest? Waipara Valley Canterbury Plain

Answer 51

Waipara Valley

Question 52

Match the climatic influence to the correct sub-regions of Waipara Valley Canterbury Plains Cooling influence from the Pacific ocean, slightly warmed by winds Warming wind, ocean breezes blocked by hills

Answer 52

Waipara Warming wind, ocean breezes blocked by hills Canterbury Plains Cooling influence from the Pacific ocean, slightly warmed by winds

Question 53

Summarise Canterbury's climate & key grape varieties.

Answer 53

Canterbury Cool maritime Pinot Noir Sauvignon Blanc Waipara Valley Warming winds, hills block ocean breeze Riesling Canterbury Plain Cooling influence from ocean & slight warming winds

Question 54

Where in New Zealand is Central Otago located?

Answer 54

Inland in the foothills of the Southern Alps, in the lower half of the South Island of New Zealand.

Question 55

What is the climate in Central Otago?

Answer 55

Cool continental, intense sunshine, large diurnals.

Question 56

What is a major risk in Central Otago during spring & autumn?

Answer 56

Frost

Question 57

What grape variety accounts for the majority of plantings in Central Otago?

Answer 57

Pinot Noir

Question 58

Which Central Otago grape variety does the wine description below refer to? Full bodied, high alcohol, juicy, vibrant concentrated red fruit.

Answer 58

Pinot Noir

Question 59

Summarise Central Otago's climate, sub-regions, key grape varieties and styles.

Answer 59

Central Otago Cool continental frost risk, intense sunshine, large diurnals, Pinot Noir Full bodied, high alcohol, juicy, vibrant concentrated red fruit Pinot Gris, Riesling

Question 60

Summarise North Island New Zealand's climate, sub-regions, key grape varieties and styles.

Answer 60

Gisborne (Moderate) maritime High rainfall, high sunshine hours Chardonnay tropical fruit flavours Hawke's Bay (Moderate) maritime Warmest main growing region Longest Sunshine hours in New Zealand Bordeaux blends Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah Gimblett Gravels Well drained with warming gravel. Martinborough Cool maritime (same as Wairau Valley) High diurnals Pinot Noir Medium to full bodied ripe, dark plum and spice

Question 61

Summarise South Island New Zealand's climate, sub-regions, key grape varieties and styles.

Answer 61

Marlborough Cool maritime Sparkling wine Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling Pinot Noir medium bodied, fine tannins with cherry and cranberry aroma Wairau Valley: Northern flat valley with southern hills giving aspect & altitude Sauvignon Blanc tropical fruit Awatere Valley: Drier, cooler, windier South of Wairau: Sauvignon Blanc higher acidity, pronounced herbaceous Nelson Cool maritime, cooler & wetter than Marlborough Pinot Noir Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris Canterbury Cool maritime Pinot Noir Sauvignon Blanc Waipara Valley Warming winds, hills block ocean breeze Riesling Canterbury Plain: Cooling influence from ocean & slight warming winds Central Otago Cool continental frost risk, intense sunshine, large diurnals, Pinot Noir Full bodied, high alcohol, juicy, vibrant concentrated red fruit Pinot Gris, Riesling

Question 62

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

Answer 62

Marlborough

Question 63

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

Answer 63

Canterbury

Question 64

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

Answer 64

Nelson

Question 65

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

Answer 65

Central Otago

Question 66

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

Answer 66

Martinborough

Question 67

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

Answer 67

Hawkes Bay

Question 68

What is the name of the region that is highlighted?

Answer 68

Gisborne