New Zealand

Question 1

What are the latitudes and climates of New Zealand?

Answer 1

Between 35°S and 45°S
As a remote island, it has maritime climate cooler to the south than the north with some protection by mountains

Question 2

What are some viticultural challenges in New Zealand?

Answer 2

Wet climate & some flat fertile soils leading to excessive shoot and leaf growth. Expertise in canopy management techniques & sustainable practices are preferred to conventional viticulture.

Question 3

What is the flagship grape of NZ and what are other white grapes grown there?

Answer 3

Sauvignon Blanc with pungent aromas, intense flavores of elderflower and passion fruit and high acidity. (More tropical flavors in the warmer north)
Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Gris are also grown

Question 4

What is the second grape of NZ and what are other red grapes grown there?

Answer 4

Pinot Noir, with vibrant fruit, fine ripe tannins, soft texture and often high levels of alcohol.
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon (North Island) and Syrah (Closer in style than Rhône rather than Barossa)

Question 5

What are the 4 key regions of the North Island?

Answer 5

Auckland
Gisborne
Hawke’s Bay
Wairarapa (Martinborough area)

Question 6

What is the warmest and wettest region of the North Island and what is grown there?

Answer 6

AUCKLAND
Production of Chardonnay, Merlot & Syrah principally

Question 7

What region of the North Island is located between the cities of Hastings and Napier?

Answer 7

HAWKE’S BAY

Question 8

What is distinctive about HAWKE’S BAY?

Answer 8

Warm region with long sunny hours.
Diverse altitudes and soils such as the Gimblett Gravels
Suitable for red grape varieties (Cab, Merlot, Syrah)

Question 9

What is a very important area within the WAIRARAPA region?

Answer 9

MARTINBOROUGH and its global reputation for Pinot Noir. The hot days and cool night are suitable for the variety, the wines are medium to full-bodied and ripe with hints of dark plum and spices.

Question 10

What are the 4 key regions of the South Island?

Answer 10

Marlborough
Nelson
Canterbury
Central Otago

Question 11

What region of the South Island is the major center for grape growing and what is mostly grown there?

Answer 11

MARLBOROUGH including the valleys of Wairau & Awatere
Sauvignon Blanc dominates plantings, followed by Chardonnay & Pinot Noir (some of which goes to sparkling production. Riesling and Pinot Gris

Question 12

What is the climate in Nelson?
What is grown there

Answer 12

Cooler and wetter than Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris dominate

Question 13

What are the 2 main centers of viticulture in Canterbury and what is grown there?

Answer 13

Christchurch & Waipara Valley
Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Noir + Riesling in Waipara

Question 14

What is the topography of Central Otago and its implication?

Answer 14

Located inland at the foothills of the Southern NZ Alps, the vineyards are spread over a wide area incorporating different valleys, aspects and soils.
The protection from the Alps makes the region continental. DIURNAL range is key and the intensity of light is high which accounts for the high levels of alcohol.

Question 15

What is the primary grape of Central Otago and secondary grapes?

Answer 15

Pinot Noir, followed by
Pinot Gris, Riesling & Chardonnay

Question 16

What is the style of Central Otago Pinot Noir?

Answer 16

Full-bodied style with juicy, vibrant concentrated red fruit flavors.