New Zealand Flashcards
The majority of New Zealand’s Syrah plantings are in which region?
What percentage?
Hawke’s Bay
75%
Where is Nelson wine region, what is it’s climate like and what’s made there?
North coast of South Island directly west of Marlborough
Cooler and wetter than Marlborough due to exposure to westerlies from Pacific Ocean.
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris
What is the highest quality sub region of Hawke’s Bay, what is the soil like and what does it have a high reputation for producing?
Gimblett Gravels
Well drained, heat absorbing gravel / shingle soils on the valley floor.
High reputation for producing black grapes; Merlot, Cab Sav made in a BDX style. Makes premium Syrah too.
Which giant French company currently owns and produces around 40% of New Zealand wines?
Pernod Ricard
Where is the NZ producer Mud House located?
What are 3 of their wines produced?
South Island
Waipara Riesling (Canterbury)
Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rapaura Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
Which produces the most wine - North Island or South Island?
South Island
Who was the first producer to release a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc under screw-cap?
Kim Crawford
What is New Zealand’s smallest region of production by volume?
Northland
What are the primary climate differences between New Zealand’s North and South Islands?
N. Island: warm, humid, maritime.
S. Island: cooler, more continental
What are 2 reasons that New Zealand’s wine industry was stagnant for the first half of the 20th century?
Temperance Movement and Prohibition
Strong Imports
New Zealand’s wine laws are most similar in structure to those of which of the following countries?
USA
Which French wine region is nearest to New Zealand in terms of total hectares under vine?
Burgundy
____ and ___ plantings are two of the fastest growing segments in the New Zealand wine industry.
Pinot Gris / Syrah
Where is Marlborough wine region, what is it’s climate like and what’s made there?
NE tip South Island
Wairau - Largest estuary, long sunny days. Side valleys giving aspects and altitudes.
Outstanding Pinot Noir
Sauvignon Blanc - Tropical Fruit
Awatere Valley - Drier, cooler and windier = leaner, more acidic wines.
Sauvignon Blanc - higher acidity and pronounced herbaceous character.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir too for still and sparkling.
Still Pinot Noir - Med body, fine tannins, cherry and cranberry flavours
Hawke’s Bay’s many sub-regions can roughly be categorized into 4 larger groups:
Coastal Areas
River Valleys
Hillsides
Alluvial Plains
Working North to South what are the 6 main wine regions (and 1 sub-region) of North Island?
Northland
Auckland
Waikato / Bay of Plenty
Gisbourne
Hawke’s Bay
Wairarapa (contains Martinborough)
When were the first vine plantings made in New Zealand?
When and by whom was the first wine produced?
1819, by a Christian missionary on the North Island.
Late 1830’s by James Busby, who planted a small vineyard of Spanish and French varietals on the North Island.
Name the two sub regions of Marlborough and summarise the main differences between them
Wairau - Norther section. Largest estuary, long sunny days, side valleys give aspects and altitudes, wines have more tropical fruit flavors
Awatere Valley - Southern section. Drier, cooler, windier = leaner, more acidic wines.
Where is Gisborne wine region, what is it’s climate, and what is made there?
East coast of North Island
High temperatures and rainfall plus long sunshine hours
Over half of production is Chardonnay - Ripe tropical fruit
Pinot Gris / Viognier / Gewurztraminer / Muller-Thurgau also planted
Which is the fastest growing wine region in New Zealand?
Central Otago
What are the main black and white grapes of NZ?
Sauvignon Blanc: Most planted of ALL grapes.
Pinot Noir: second-most planted.
The _____ Strait is the body of water that separates the North Island from the South Island.
Cook
What is the name of New Zealand’s southernmost wine region?
Central Otago
What percentage of New Zealand wines are exported?
75%
Poverty Bay is a significant geographical feature in which region?
Gisborne
Describe a typical NZ Pinot Noir
Vibrant fruit, fine ripe tannins, soft texture, quite hi alc
What alcohol by volume percentage would you most likely encounter on a bottle of Pinot Noir from Central Otago?
14%
What is one potential hazard of grape growing in NZ. How is it, in part, naturally mitigated?
Rain can be a problem during ripening but most soils are free draining
Waiheke Island is a sub-region of which larger New Zealand GI?
Auckland
In which New Zealand GI is the sub-region of Bannockburn located?
Central Otago
What is New Zealand’s youngest official wine region?
Central Otago
What is the name of the initiative to promote the reduction of environmental impact in winemaking in New Zealand?
“Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand”
Which global company now owns the famous Cloudy Bay?
LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy)
Where is Wairarapa, what’s the most important sub region there, what is it’s climate like, what is it most famous for making and what does it taste like?
Southern Tip of North Island
Martinborough
High Summer temps but wide diurnal range
Pinot Noir - med~full body and ripe with hints of dark plum and spice
Where is Central Otago wine region, what is it’s climate like and what is made there?
Inland in foothills of Southern New Zealand Alps, south of Canterbury.
Continental climate with RISK of frost damage in Spring and Autumn. Summers warm but large diurnal range. Very intense sunlight = Hi alc
Spread over a number of diff aspects, soils and altitudes
Mainly Pinot Noir, Full bodied, juicy and vibrant with concentrated ripe fruit flavours.
Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay too.
Working North to South name the 4 wine regions of NZ South Island
Nelson
Marlborough
Canterbury
Central Otago
What do NZ’s Southern Alps provide?
A rain shadow that protects Central Otago and Canterbury from weather systems coming from the Tasman Sea.
Why do aromatic white grapes thrive in NZ?
Because the cool nights retain the aromatic compounds in the grapes
Which is the largest wine growing area (volume and size) in New Zealand?
Marlborough
What is the 3 Key Factors For Success of NZ wine?
How do these factors affect the grapes?
Long sunshine hours,
Nights cooled by sea breezes
Long Autumnal ripening period
High sugar, High flavour ripeness and retained acidity
3 examples of Central Otago Pinot Noir producers:
Rippon
Felton Road.
Mt. Difficulty
Which country imports the most New Zealand wine?
USA
Which grape variety is grown the most in New Zealand?
Sauvignon Blanc
How would you describe a typical NZ Chardonnay?
Concentrated citrus and tropical fruits with subtle toast and sweet spice from new French oak
What are the top 4 black grapes in NZ?
Pinot Noir
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah