New Zealand Flashcards
New Zealand climate
Maritime
Except Central Otago - semi continental(protected by mountains)
South Island vs North Island temps
Cooler in S
Moderate in N
What protects the South Islamd vineyards from excessive rains and winds from Tasmania sea?
Southern Alps
Rainfall still high despite protection
Why are UV levels high in NZ?
Hole in ozone
Low levels of air pollution
Extended daylight hours from low latitude coupled with additional UV exposure allows for what
Tannin/color development
Increasing viable ripening period allowing for grape growing in cool sites
High diurnal range
High fertility soils, extra sunshine, additional UV demand what for quality fruit
Canopy management to inhibit excessive vegetation growth that could shade fruit
VSP with 2 canes
Up to 4 canes (Scott Henry) but high yields are hard to ripen in cool years
Planting densities in NZ are
Low but high yields due to conditions and training systems
Soils in NZ are
Free draining and necessitate irrigation despite high rainfall
Main predator and mitigation in NZ
Birds
Netting
Strong winds in NZ increase
Evapotranspiration
Main grapes in NZ
Sauv Blanc
PN
Chard
PG
Merlot
Riesling
Syrah
Cab
Gewurz
What encourages variety in winemaking styles in NZ?
No GI specific winemaking regulations
Producing the distinctive style of Marlborough SB in vineyard
High UV, adequate water, canopy mgmt for ripening
High diurnal- long grow season intense aromas high acid
Row orientation- tropical ripeness from exposed/grassy from shaded
Early picking for grassy
Machine harvest for skin contact to increase aromas
Producing distinctive Marlborough SB in winery
Protective winemaking to preserve primary fruit
Selected yeasts to promote aromatics
No MLC
Min lees aging for primary frruit
Ascorbic acid and CO2 during bottling for freshness
Greater Auckland
North Island
Historical center of production but now business/urban
Waiheke Island- warmer black grapes
Gisborne
North Island
Mix of boutique and high volume
Chardonnay, Pinot Gris
Fertile plain
Moderate maritime
High rainfall
Hawkes Bay
North Island
Moderate maritime similar to Bordeaux
Gravel soils similar to Medoc
Bordeaux- Merlot based
Syrah
Chard
Gimblett Gravels
Hawkes Bay
North Island
Warm stony soils
Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet
Free draining- irrigation necessary
Wairapa
North Island
Most southern region
Premium wines
Wine tourism
Elegant PN/ riper SB
Cool maritime- large diurnal
Yields lowered by winds from Cook Strait
Smaller berries w/thicker skin- Abel clone from DRC- later flowering
Marlborough
South Island
70% of all plantings
Brancott Estate
Very sunny
Cool - moderate summers/mild winters
Moderate rainfall but free draining soils necessitate irrigation
Long hang time for intense flavor
Machine harvest for maceration for aromas
Wairau Valley
Wairau River to mouth of Cloudy Bay
Warm soils extend season for aromatics
SB, PN, Chard, PG
Southern Valleys of Marlborough
North- south running valleys
Clay soils slow ripening
PN
Awarere Valley
Cooler/windier due to proximity to coast and higher elevation
Later harvest, more herbaceous
Pinot Noir in Awatere
Thicker skin deeper color
Floral herbal
Nelson
South Island
Not as protected as Marlborough
Cold, wet
Cool maritime
Moutere Hills- Clay/gravel dry farmed, high quality
Waimea Plains- riverbed soils moderate fertility, irrigation necessary, fresh wines
SB- restrained
PN- MH expressive w/tannin- WP- fresher
Canterbury
South Island
North Canterbury- cool climate, sheltered by Southern Alps, hot dry winds can warm but also damage fruit
Waipara Valley
North Canterbury
South Island
Warmer
Protected by Teviodale Hills
Riesling
Waikari
North Canterbury
South Island
Clay limestone
Pinot noir
Central Otago
South Island
Surrounded by Southern Alps
Semi continental climate
Dry
Altitude for diurnal
Spring frost- helicopters
Canopy mgmt for shading
PN - 80% of plantings - fuller bodied
Sub regions:
-Alexandra- hottest summers, diurnal
-Gibbston- highest and coolest
-Bannockburn- warmest driest
-Cromwell, Lowburn, Pisa- warm
-Bendigo- warm enough to ripen Syrah
-Wanaka-isolated, moderated by Lake Wanaka
Waitaki - North Otago
Limestone
PN
