New Zealand Flashcards
T/F. New Zealand is divided in two islands: North and South
True
New Zealand’s background:
Unique climate makes it one of the best places to cultivate wine grapes in the world.
The greatest Sauvignon Blancs.
Ambitious growth plan.
Benchmark Sauvignon Blancs
Highest average bottle price for any country
New micro-climates for red wines
Primary white grape varieties in New Zealand are…
Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Riesling Gewürztraminer Muller-Thurgau
Primary red grape varieties in New Zealand are:
Pinot noir
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Shiraz
North Island white grapes:
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Aromatic varieties
North Island red grapes:
Pinot noir
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Cabernet franc
How is the climate in New Zealand’s North Island? What about the soils and aspect?
Climate: cool (south) to warm (north) maritime, windy from west (must plant east of mountain ranges), high rainfall and humidity.
Aspect: north facing slopes in Auckland have best exposure.
Soils: mostly alluvial
Mountain run-off with sandstone, some limestone, schist, clay and chalk,.
North island regions:
Hawkes bay
Auckland
Gisborne (known for Poverty Bay)
Wairarapa (south end of north island)
Hawkes Bay generalities…
Driest region in NZ
2nd in size to Marlborough
Hawkes bay grapes:
White:
Chardonnay
Red:
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
Hawkes bay climate and soils:
Climate: moderate continental, sunny, warmest in NZ
Soils: sandy alluvial over gravel (gimblett gravels sub region- carried by Ngaruro River), limestone
Auckland generalities:
Kumeu-Huapai and Waiheke island are two best districts
Waikato inland around shore of lake waikere
Gisborne known for Poverty Bay
Bulk and carafe wines
High yields and large quantities of muller-Thurgau
Auckland’s climate, soils and grapes:
Climate: very warm maritime-humid
Soils: heavy clay save for Waiheke island
Grapes: best are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Gisborne overview:
High yields and large quantities of Muller-Thurgau
Bulk wines and carafe wines
Wairarapa overview:
South end of north island
Includes Martinborough
Quality Pinot noir
South Island grapes:
White: Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Riesling Pinot Gris
South Island red grapes:
Pinot noir
Syrah
South Island climate and soils…
Climate: cool maritime -higher temperatures north, cooler in south- lighter rainfall than north island -central mountain range creates rain shadow effect-
Soils: Volcanic (Canterbury), gravel alluvial with sandstone (Marlborough)
South Island regions:
Marlborough
Central Otago
Canterbury
Nelson
Marlborough overview:
Most important and fastest growing wine region
Awatere Valley and Wairau Valley sub-regions
Marlborough’s grapes…
White:
Sauvignon Blanc (2/3 of all NZ’s)
Red;
Pinot noir
Big potential sparkling wine
Marlborough soils and climate…
Soil: alluvial gravel
Climate: Dry -sunny climate, protected from Westerly winds by south Alps and Easterlies by southern tip of North Island-
Central Otago grapes:
Pinot noir (superstar black grape of NZ)
Most southerly wine region in the world
Sparking wine and Riesling also have potential
Central Otago soils and climate:
Soils: alluvial, outcroppings of chalk and limestone loams
Climate: continental -cool, high sunshine intensity, dry during growing season, protected north facing slopes have best aspect-
Canterbury’s generalities…
Area with great promise
Most vineyards in plains surrounding Christchurch
Warm summers, cool autumns, lower rainfall
Quality Riesling and Pinot noir
Nelson generalities…
2nd fastest growing region to Marlborough
Stony, well-drained soils
Quality Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot noir
