New Zealand

Question 1

South Island rain shadow effect is influenced by?

Answer 1

Southern Alps

Question 2

The southernmost wine region in the world is?

Answer 2

Central Otago, lies on the 45th parallel.

Question 3

What winery was the first to commercially release a New Zealand wine under screwcap?

Answer 3

Kim Crawford in Marlborough

Question 4

Name wine regions from north to south found on North Island?

Answer 4

Greater Auckland; Gisborne; Hawke’s Bay; Wairarapa.

Question 5

Name wine regions from north to south found on South Island?

Answer 5

Nelson; Marlborough; Canterbury; Waitaki Valley; Central Otago.

Question 6

What are the most important varieties planted in Gisborne?

Answer 6

Chardonnay (more than 50%) and Pinot Gris.

Question 7

Second largest region in New Zealand is?

Answer 7

Hawkes Bay

Question 8

What is Hawkes Bay climate?

Answer 8

Moderate maritime climate similar to that of Bordeaux, with typically 2,180 sunshine hours and 1,000mm of rainfall annually. These conditions, paired with gravelly, alluvial soils similar to those found in the Médoc, have led to Bordeaux-inspired, Merlot-dominant blends.

Question 9

What are the most important red varieties in Hawke’s Bay?

Answer 9

Merlot (dominant variety), Syrah (75% of N.Z. plantings), Malbec (getting popular in recent years). Hawkes Bay is New Zealand’s largest producer of red wines.

Question 10

What are the most important white varieties in Hawke’s Bay?

Answer 10

Chardonnay (most planted, range of styles), Sauvignon Blanc, and to a lesser extent, Pinot Gris.

Question 11

What kind of wine is produced in Wairarapa?

Answer 11

Intensely flavoured, though elegant, styles of Pinot Noir, and perfumed, but not overtly herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc.

Question 12

Name three sub-regions of Wairarapa?

Answer 12

Masterton, Gladstone, and Martinborough; collectively known as Wellington Wine Country.

Question 13

What is soil in Marlborough?

Answer 13

Free-draining alluvial soil

Question 14

What is Marlborough climate?

Answer 14

Cool with moderately warm summers and mild winters, irrigation is important, high levels of sunshine coupled with a relatively dry growing season allowing grapes to be kept on the vine into the autumn, leads to very intensely flavoured fruit.

Question 15

What are Marlborough most important varieties?

Answer 15

Sauvignon Blanc (78%); Pinot Noir (11%). The rest is Chardonnay; Pinot Gris and Riesling.

Question 16

How many ha of vine is planted in Marlborough?

Answer 16

23.964 ha;

Question 17

What are Canterbury most important varieties?

Answer 17

Pinot Noir is the king considered red varieties; Sauvignon Blanc is the most planted white variety but the best wines are produced from aromatic varieties such as Pinot Gris and Riesling and around 80 ha of Chardonnay (finely poised acidity and rich citrussy fruit.)

Question 18

What is the climate in Central Otago?

Answer 18

It is only region with a semi continental climate in New Zealand. Summers are warm and dry and the southerly latitude means daylight hours are long, high level of UV radiation, irrigation is necessary, high diurnal range.

Question 19

Most important Central Otago varieties?

Answer 19

Pinot Noir (70%), Pinot Gris and Riesling

Question 20

How many ha is planted with vine in Central Otago?

Answer 20

1909 ha. Pinot Noir: 1,356 ha.

Question 21

How many ha of vines are planted in New Zealand?

Answer 21

38.000 ha; reds 7.863 ha (Pinot Noir 70%); white 27.318 ha (Sauvignon Blanc 73%).

Question 22

Name some significant aspects of New Zealand’s climate?

Answer 22

High UV radiation, long hours of sunlight and a large diurnal range.

Question 23

What impact high UV radiation levels found in New Zealand have on their wines?

Answer 23

They can enhance the development of colours and tannins which are desirable in black grape varieties. 40 per cent higher than places of similar latitude in the Northern Hemisphere, due to very low levels of air pollution or hole in the ozone layer.

Question 24

What effect have large diurnal range on the grapes?

Answer 24

Large diurnal range helps preserve acidity in the grapes.

Question 25

What is ‘Appellation Marlborough Wine’?

Answer 25

Trademark made by Marlborough producers in order to protect region’s reputation. Wines must be made entirely from grapes grown in Marlborough to agreed maximum yields, certified sustainable, and bottled in New Zealand. Only for SB.

Question 26

What kind of soil have Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa?

Answer 26

They are located on alluvial terraces with gravelly soils. The stony topsoil of Gimblett Gravels in particular becomes very warm during the day and releases heat into the evening, helping Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen.

Question 27

Name two aromas that are typical of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 27

Passionfruit and green bell pepper aromas

Question 28

From what part of Canterbury is coming the best Riesling?

Answer 28

Waipara Valley produces very expressive, intense, ripely fruited styles, with high levels of acidity, thanks to the high diurnal range, the long growing season, and the dry autumns.