New Zealand

Question 1

Northland GI

Answer 1

3 subregions: Kerikeri, Kaitaia, Whangarei

Question 2

Auckland GI

Answer 2

Kumeu GI, Matakana GI & Waiheke Island GI (West to East) ,South Auckland, West Auckland, Clevedon, Huapai, Henderson.

Question 3

Kumeu GI

Answer 3

Mostly Chardonnay. Warmer weather than the north with stony alluvial soils.
Kumeu River most famous winery.

Question 4

Matakana GI

Answer 4

Warm climate with Bordeaux like soils. Cabernet and Syrah grow here.

Question 5

Waiheke GI

Answer 5

Warmest maritime climate suited to Cab S blends and Viognier

Question 6

Waikato / Bay of Plenty GI

Answer 6

1. 6 Subregions (all not official): Te Kauwhata, TeAwanmutu, Coromandel, Peninsula, Lake Taupo, Hamilton, Rotorua
2. Chardonnay, Sblanc and CabS, Coastal Influence over rolling flatlands.

Question 7

Gisborne GI

Answer 7

1. Ormond – Ormond Valley and Golden Slopes (Hexton Hills)
2. Patutahi – Warm inland, dry
3. Manutuke – Coastal influences, Sand and Clay. Botrytis can grow
4. Central Valley – easy drinking wines

Question 8

Ormand Valley

Answer 8

• Gisborne GI
• First region on the North to receive sunshine daily.
• Fertile soils, High sunshine hours with coastal influences
• Main Char/Albarino
• Millton – most famous producer

Question 9

Hawke’s Bay GI

Answer 9

12 subregions (not official)
* Coastal: Te Awanga and Northern Esk Valley (Premium Chard, Pinot)
* River Valley: Mohaka, Esk River Valley, Tutaekuri River Valley, Ngaruroro River Valley (Whites and Pinot Noir)
* Alluvial Plains: Korokipo, Bridge Pa, Gimblett Gravels, Ohiti (Stony soils)
* Hillsides: Havelock North (Red varieties)
* Central: Central Hawke’s Bay GI (high altitude cool climate)
* Oldest winery in NZ which is Mission Estate in 1851.
* Maritime climate so closer to Bordeaux temperature.
* Earthquake in 1867 changed Ngaruroro River and Gimblett Gravels was born.
Best place for Bordeaux grapes and Syrah. About 800ha
* Most important wineries are TeMata, Craggy Range, Elephant Hill, Sacred Hill, Sileni, Trinity Hill.

Question 10

Wairarapa GI

Answer 10

• Martinborough GI, Gladstone GI, Masterton
• Martinborough GI is drier and sunnier than Gladstone GI and Masterton. More suited for Pinots. Channeled by Tararua Range.
• Martinborough has also finer soils resulting in deeper root penetration into gravel.
  Gladstone more silty and Masterton is limestone.
• Most important wineries are Ata Rangi, Dry River, Palliser Estate, Martinborough Vineyards.

Question 11

Ohau

Answer 11

• New Wine Subregion shaped by the Ohau river. Gravel, Stony soil.
• Only one producer in the region. Ohau Vineyards. Aromatic varietals Sblanc and Pgris.

Question 12

Marlborough GI

Answer 12

3 subregions:
* Wairau Valley – means “hole in the sky”. Most Sblanc is found here from East to West of the valley. More coastal in the East to warmer in the West.
* Southern Valleys – North facing, clay and loam, better for PN. There are Omaka, Branson, Faircott, Ben Morvan and Waihopai.
* Awatere Valley – also Sblanc but more windy and coastal than Marlborough. Blended with Wairau fruit most times to make Marlborough.
* Dry climate, much more sunshine hours than Sancerre but same temperature as Burgundy. Richmond Ranges on the North block all the rainfall.

Question 13

Nelson GI

Answer 13

4 subregions: Motueka, Takaka (Golden Bay), Upper Moutere (Moutere Hills), Waimea Plains
* Wettest region, with Waimea Plains more alluvial soils –lighter easy drinking wine
* Moutere Hills more clay and richer wines.
* Famous producers: Neudorf, Seifried

Question 14

Canterbury GI

Answer 14

• North Canterbury GI, Waipara Valley GI, Canterbury Plains
• North Canterbury GI coolest climate, main PN, SB and exciting Riesling
• Waipara Valley – main GI, cool wind from Pegasus Bay:
  1. Valley floor – Glasnevin gravel and sand – lighter in style
  2. Hillsides more clay – richer style
• Canterbury Plain GI – more silt and gravel – lighter SB/PG
• Famous producer: Pegasus Bay, Pyramid Valley

Question 15

Waitaki Valley GI / North Otago

Answer 15

• Very new with 60ha of vines since 2003
• Coldest region in NZ – PN, PG, Rielsing
• Famous producers: Ostler, Pasquale and Valli.

Question 16

Central Otago GI

Answer 16

• Bannockburn GI, Cromwell Basin, Alexandra Basin, Bendigo, Wanaka, Gibbston
• The first commercial wineries appeared in 1975/76. Alan Brady of Gibbston Valley vineyards and Rolfie Mills of Rippon in Wanaka.
• Wanaka – wettest like Marlborough; Cromwell and Alexandra Basin is the driest; Lots of UV –> deep colored, intense PN
• Cromwell Basin got 2 small sub-region – Lowburn and Pisa
• PN, PG, Char, Riesling
• Famous producers: Felton Road, Rippon, Gibbston Valley

Question 17

Famous producers and wines 1

Answer 17

Question 18

Famous producers and wines 2

Answer 18

Question 19

Famous producers and wines 3

Answer 19