New Zealand

Question 1

Between what degrees of latitude do New Zealand’s wine producing regions lie?
What does this mean

Answer 1

New Zealand’s wine producing regions lie between 36°S - 46°S

This means the country has a high level of sunshine hours and the ability to produce a range of styles of wine

Question 2

Describe New Zealand’s Climate

Answer 2

• Most of New Zealand’s vineyard areas have a maritime climate, apart from Central Otago which has a semi-continental climate.
• The cool Pacific Ocean moderates what would otherwise be a reasonably warm region.
• The South island tends to have a cool climate whereas the North island tends to be more moderate due to its lower latitude.
• UV radiation level in New Zealand also tend to be higher than areas at an equivalent latitude in the Northern hemisphere.

Question 3

briefly explain how vines in New Zealand are commonly trained and give reasons why these training techniques may be chosen

Answer 3

High trained VSP, head pruned with low density planting
* to encourage uniform ripening
* avoid frost and excess humidity at lower levels
* allow winemakers to select fruit of different ripeness levels
* manage the vigour of the vine

Question 4

Low planting density planting is common in New Zealand, give two reasons why

Answer 4

allows better control over the vigorous sauvignon blanc variety

the climate is naturally abundant in rainfall, sunshine and nutrients

Question 5

Fresh and fruity styles of Sauvignon Blanc are characteristic of New Zealand winemaking, list the winemaking techniques to achieve this style

Answer 5

• Low fermentation temperatures
• Neutral fermentation vessel
• Cultured yeasts
• MLF avoided
• Oak maturation avoided

Question 6

Some New Zealand producers are experimenting with more full bodied styles in small volumes of Sauvignon Blanc. List the winemaking techniques used.

Answer 6

• Fermented in oak barrels
• Lees stirring
• Malolactic conversion
• Skin contact
• Ambient yeasts
• High levels of solids at fermentation

Question 7

What percentage of New Zealand production is sealed under screwcap, and why?

Answer 7

90%
Many producers have adopted screwcap closures to avoid TCA in cork and keep wines fresh.

Question 8

True or false?

New Zealand has strict appellation laws regarding GIs and what can be planted.

Answer 8

False

Question 9

List the New Zealand wine regions from North to South

Answer 9

Auckland
Gisborne
Hawke’s Bay
Wairarapa
Martinborough
Nelson
Marlborough
Canterbury
Central Otago

Question 10

List two sub-regions in Greater Auckland

Answer 10

Matakana
Waiheke Island

Question 11

List two sub-regions in Hawke’s Bay

Answer 11

Gimblett Gravels
Bridge Pa

Question 12

List four sub-regions in Wairarapa

Answer 12

Wellington Wine Country
Martinborough
Masterton
Gladstone

Question 13

List three wine sub-regions in Marlborough

Answer 13

Wairau
Southern Valleys
Awetere

Question 14

List two wine sub-regions in Nelson

Answer 14

Moutere Hills
Waimea Plains

Question 15

List five wine sub-regions in Central Otago

Answer 15

Alexandra
Gibbston
Bannockburn
Bendigo
Wanaka

Question 16

Explain why Gimblett Gravels is an appropriate location for making Bordeaux style wines

Answer 16

• The moderate maritime climate is similar to that of Bordeaux, with typically 2,180 sunshine hours and 1,000 mm 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.
• The stony topsoil of Gimblett Gravels in particular becomes very warm during the day and releases heat into the evening

Question 17

True or false?

New Zealand’s ‘Appellation Marlborough Wine’ trademark is only applicable to Sauvignon Blanc and aims to protect the reputation of these wines.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

List the top 3 Export markets for New Zealand?
Where does New Zealand fall in global wine exports?

Answer 18

USA, the UK and Australia
New Zealand is the world’s tenth largest exporter of wine

Question 19

Do bottles of wine from New Zealand globally sells for less than the average price of a bottle of wine in most countries?

Answer 19

No, they are generally more expensive