New Zealand Flashcards
When were the first vines planted in New Zealand?
The first vines were planted in 1819.
Who brought the first grapevine cuttings to New Zealand?
English missionary Samuel Marsden brought the cuttings from Australia.
What region in New Zealand was the initial site of grapevine plantings?
The initial plantings were in Kerikeri, Northland.
What did Samuel Marsden predict about New Zealand’s wine potential?
He noted that New Zealand promises to be very favorable to wine production.
What was the major wave of migration to New Zealand in the 19th century?
The major wave of migration came from Britain.
Who is considered responsible for producing New Zealand’s first wine?
Scottish-born James Busby is believed to have produced the first wine.
Which group founded the Hawke’s Bay wine industry?
French missionaries founded the industry in 1851.
What influence did Dalmatians have on New Zealand’s wine industry?
Dalmatians forged a winegrowing community in west Auckland from the early 1900s.
When did the Māori likely arrive in New Zealand?
The Māori likely arrived in the early 14th century CE.
What is the Māori term for tribes?
Māori tribes are referred to as iwi.
What percentage of New Zealand’s wine labels feature Māori names?
Approximately 80 of the 700 wine labels feature Māori names.
What was the temperance movement’s impact on New Zealand’s wine industry?
The temperance movement created legal and social challenges for the wine industry.
What significant event occurred in New Zealand’s wine industry in 1919?
A national vote on prohibition took place.
When were pubs allowed to remain open past 6pm?
Pubs were allowed to remain open past 6pm in 1967.
What is the most important grape variety in New Zealand?
Sauvignon Blanc is the most important grape variety.
Where was the first commercially available Sauvignon Blanc produced?
The first commercially available Sauvignon Blanc was produced in Auckland.
When did New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc gain international recognition?
The first examples made their way to overseas critics in the mid-1980s.
What percentage of global vineyard area does New Zealand account for?
New Zealand accounts for only 0.5% of the total vineyard area globally.
What is the nickname for New Zealanders?
Kiwi is a nickname for New Zealanders.
How much did New Zealand’s wine exports value in 2020?
Wine exports were valued at over NZ$2 billion in 2020.
What is the geographical significance of New Zealand’s location?
New Zealand is surrounded by vast bodies of water, influencing its maritime climate.
What is the average growing season temperature in Marlborough?
The average growing season temperature is 15.2 degrees Celsius (59.4 degrees Fahrenheit).
What is the Geographical Indications Bill?
The bill protects the names of 18 New Zealand wine regions.
What is the 85% rule in New Zealand wine law?
If a vintage, variety, or origin is stated on the label, at least 85% must be sourced from that vintage, variety, or origin.
What is the significance of screwcaps in New Zealand wine?
Screwcaps are increasingly used for sealing New Zealand wines.
What is the minimum alcohol level for wines sold in the European Union?
Wines sold in the European Union must have a minimum alcohol level of 8.5%.
What certification must producers gain for their wines before export from New Zealand?
Producers must gain export eligibility certification for each of their wines before they leave New Zealand shores.
What is the global leader in bottling wines under screwcap?
New Zealand is the global leader in bottling wines under screwcap.
What percentage of wine globally is sealed under screwcap?
Approximately 30% of wine globally is sealed under screwcap.
What was the main reason for the New Zealand Screwcap Initiative?
The initiative was driven by the poor quality of cork reaching Oceania in the 1990s and early 2000s, which was prone to TCA infection.
What character is often attributed to New Zealand wine due to screwcap bottling?
Many have attributed a reductive character to New Zealand wine due to bottling under screwcap.
What is the average size of a vineyard in New Zealand?
The average size of a vineyard is 19 hectares.
When was the first New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc produced?
The first New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc was produced in Auckland by Ross Spence in 1974.
What grape variety usurped Chardonnay to become New Zealand’s most planted variety?
Sauvignon Blanc usurped Chardonnay to become New Zealand’s most planted variety in 2002.
What are the hallmark characteristics of Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough?
A hallmark of Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is its green-yet-ripe tropical fruit character.
What compound causes the buttery character often found in Chardonnay?
Diacetyl is the compound that causes the buttery character often found in Chardonnay.
What grape variety has become the third most planted white grape in New Zealand?
Pinot Gris has become the third most planted white grape in New Zealand.
What is the most planted red variety in New Zealand?
Pinot Noir is New Zealand’s most planted red variety.
Where is Merlot predominantly planted in New Zealand?
Merlot has found its Kiwi home in Hawke’s Bay, which contains 90% of the nation’s plantings.
Where is Merlot predominantly planted in New Zealand?
Merlot has found its Kiwi home in Hawke’s Bay, which contains 90% of the nation’s plantings.
How does Merlot’s ripening compare to Cabernet Sauvignon?
Merlot buds, flowers, and ripens at least a week before Cabernet Sauvignon.
What are the typical characteristics of Merlot?
The expression of Merlot is typically a little fruitier and juicier than an equivalent Right Bank wine, with acidity and supple tannins.
What percentage of New Zealand’s vineyard land is planted with Merlot?
Merlot accounts for 2.7% of vineyard land.
What is notable about Syrah in New Zealand?
Despite limited plantings, Syrah thrives in New Zealand, exhibiting distinctive blackberry, violet, and black pepper characters.
What significant action did Dr. Alan Limmer take regarding Syrah?
In 1984, Dr. Alan Limmer took cuttings from the national viticulture center and planted them in his vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels district.
What is the current percentage of Syrah planted in Hawke’s Bay?
Today, 77% of New Zealand’s Syrah is planted in Hawke’s Bay.
What is the significance of Cabernet Sauvignon in New Zealand?
Cabernet Sauvignon is the backbone of some of New Zealand’s most expensive wines.
What is the typical aging process for Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines?
The finest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines are often aged in French oak barrels for around 18 months.
What percentage of vineyard land is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon?
Cabernet Sauvignon accounts for 0.5% of vineyard land.