New Zealand Flashcards
How has NZ caused envy and copying in the wine world?
With its stand out variety Sauv B, P since the 80s in an unoaked, dry, high acidity, with pronounced green and tropical flavours with high acidity.
Able to produce it due to its largely cool, maritime climate
What latitude does NZ lie in? What reds does this enable it to P?
36-46 S: high proportion of sunshine hours: a range of reds, from high acidity PN to full bodied Bordeaux blends.
What is the history of plantings and production in NZ?
First vines planted in 1819 by Samuel Marsden.
First winemaking recorded by James Busby in 1840.
Due to influx of UK immigrants with beer and whisky drinking culture, and also to a temperance movement that demanded restrictive laws on wine sales, the growth of the industry was inhibited until the early 1960s: supermarkets were only permitted to sell wine after the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.
What happened in the key dates of 1819, 1840, 1960s and 1989?
First vines planted in 1819 by Samuel Marsden.
First winemaking recorded by James Busby in 1840.
Due to influx of UK immigrants with beer and whisky drinking culture, and also to a temperance movement that demanded restrictive laws on wine sales, the growth of the industry was inhibited until the early 1960s: supermarkets were only permitted to sell wine after the Sale of Liquor Act 1989.
What style of wine was produced in the first half of the 20th century? When and why did that change?
Fortified style: ‘sherry’ or ‘port’ as there was little local demand for dry table wine.
Other immigrants from Europe. key Croatia, established vineyards in West Auckland and Hawke’s Bay, and started to P table wines.
More affordable overseas travel, greater interest in dining out and increased coverage of food and drink in print and on TV prompted a growing appreciation amongst locals and their wine.
What factors were fundamental to delivering clean, consistent and reliable wines?
A long standing dairy industry supports the countries manufacture and export of butter and cheese, so very high hygiene standards and use of temperature control were second nature to farmers moving into wine production.
What is the history of development of production and exports?
1981: 5’000 ha planted, 6,000 hL exported.
2018: 38,000 ha planted, 2.7m hL exported.
Largely driven by the success of Sauvignon Blanc. PN, Chard and PGris have also seen sharp increases in popularity.
How much of plantings does Sauv B account for?
2/3rds of countries total 25,333 ha (38,000 total)
Where is NZ located? What separates the two islands?
Separated by the Cook Strait.
Relatively isolated in Pacific: 1,900km SE from Aus, 5000km N of Antarctica, 9000km W of Chile.
What is the general climate of NZ?
Cool Pacific regulates what would otherwise be warm (NZ as far from the equator as Rome): most areas maritime.
Cool climate found in most parts of the S island, whereas lower latitudes of N island, such as Auckland and Gisborne, have moderate.
Which is the only region with a continental climate?
Central Otago, sheltered by mountains on all sides.
Where are vineyards generally found? Rainfall?
On the E of the island: the Southern Alps run the length of the South Island and protect from prevailing winds blowing from the Tasman Sea.
Still receives 650mm
What are significant factors of NZ climate?
High UV radiation, long hours of sunlight and wide diurnal range.
Why are UV levels thought to be so high in NZ? What effect does this have on ripening?
Can be 40% higher compared to similar latitude in N hemisphere.
- partly due to hole in ozone
- very low levels of pollution.
Enhance development of colours and tannins, desirable in black grape varieties.
Where experiences long hours of sunlight and wide diurnal ranges?
Former in S of island: important for increasing viability of ripening
Latter also for S island, helps to preserve acidty.
What is vigour generally? What causes this?
Could be excessive, due to more than enough rainfall in most regions, high levels of UV, sunshine hours exceeding 2000 per yer, and relatively fertile soils.
Canopy management is essential, otherwise too much shading and lower quality.
What is general training and trellising?
VSP with two canes.
Some large volume P may use more complex with 4 canes, such as Scott Henry, but high yields can be an issue in cooler years.
Growers tend to train the vines so the height of the fruiting zone is relatively high compared to many EU vines in cool climates: due to high sunlight, vines don’t need to benefit from light re-radiated from the ground to ripen, and higher zones makes hand harvesting easier.
What is typical yields and harvesting method?
Rain, sunshine, UV and fertile soils means yield per vine can be high.
Despite low planting densities (2000-2500 v/ha), overall yields are quite high (70 hL/ha).
Machine common as many on flat land.
What are 2 key hazards in NZ?
Rainfall = humidity and fungal, esp in warmer N island.
Birds. Due to very few natural predators, many species thrive, which not only eat the crop, but damage the berries so bacterial and fungal infections can disease the fruit: netting/bird scarers: cost.
What effect does wind have on vineyard management?
strong winds increase evapotranspiration, which, when combined with free draining soils, can create the need for irrigation.
Some P will plant trees for windbreaks, but this increases bird problem.
What are the 2 lesser hazards in NZ?
Sunburn, due to high levels of UV: leaf positioning critical in providing shade.
Position in Pacific means sometimes exposed to unsettled weather such as tropical cyclones: problems in f+f and harvest: reduce yields + impact quality.
What is the stance on sustainability? What’s the initiative?
Org and bio?
Almost all P are part of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand initiative, which includes an independently audited certification programme focused on a growing number of economic, environmental and social parameters.
Growing interest in organics. but less than 5% certified. Some regions with small production have higher, eg Central Otago at 17%, but overshadowed by the large Marlborough with less than 4%.
Some P have embraced bio as model.
What is the division of plantings of top 9 varieties, as a %?
Sauv B 62%
PN 16%
Chard 8%
PGris 7%
Merlot 2.5%
Riesling 2%
Syrah 1%
Cab Sauv less than 1%
Gewurz less than 1%
What is a key driver for diversity in styles in NZ?
No GI specific winemaking regulations, experimentation with different winemaking techniques to create new styles is common.
