New Zealand Flashcards
What is the southernmost wine growing region in New Zealand (and the world)?
Otago
Being the most significant part, Central Otago comprises Gibbston to the west, Bannockburn centrally, Alexandra to the south and Wanaka to the north.
What is the main grape of Central Otago?
Pinot Noir
Pinot Gris and Riesling are also successfully grown here.
What is the main feature of Central Otago’s climate?
Continental Climate
The area has a notably continental rather than maritime climate. This means that the summers are sunny and dry.
What are the two biggest climactic threats to successful viticulture in Otago?
- Frosts - Frosts are a threat the whole year round and can slow the ripening of the grapes.
- Brightness - Grapes can mature too quickly with the unnatural intensity of the sun here.
What is advantageous about Otago’s climate when growing Pinot Noir in particular?
The summers and autumns are so dry that even Pinot Noir rarely suffers from fungal disease.
What are the features of Otagan soil?
- Well irrigated
- Low water-holding capacity
- Light, fast draining loess with some gravel over schist.
What are Alexandra’s features?
- Southernmost in Otago
- Relatively cool
- Planted in 1860’s and then in 1973
Name Alexandra’s notable producers
- Black Ridge
- Grasshopper Rock
- Two Paddocks
- Drumsara
- Judge Rock
What are Bannockburn’s defining features?
- The heart of Central Otago
- At the meeting point of Kawarau Gorge and Cromwell Valley
- One of the most intensively planted subregions in NZ
- Relatively warm
- Former gold-mining country
Name some of Bannockburn’s best known producers
- Felton Road
- Carrick
- Bald Hills
- Wooing Tree
- Quartz Reef
What are Gibbston’s defining features?
- Western Otago
- Very cool
- Vines planted on North-facing slopes of Kawarau Gorge
- In longer growing seasons, wines here have the most complex flavours of all in NZ
Who are Gibbston’s most notable producers?
- Peregrine
- Gibbston Valley
- Chard Farm
- Mount Edward
- Valli Vineyards
What are the defining features of Wanaka?
- Northernmost in Otago
- On Lake Wanaka where the risk of frost is at its lowest
What is Wanaka’s most notable producer?
Rippon
Where is Waitaki Valley?
In the northeast corner of Otago, at the border with Canterbury
What is special about Waitaki’s soil?
The presence of Limestone
What are the biggest challenges to growing grapes in Waitaki?
- Perennial frost
- Cold winds during flowering
- Young vines
Name a producer who plants in the Waitaki valley
The Pasquale Winery
How can wines from Otago generally be described?
- Reds are generally described as being **very ripe, fruit forward **and intense.
- Whites are **crisp **and fragrant
What’s the next region north of Otago?
Canterbury
What are the main grapes produced in Canterbury?
- Pinot Noir
- Chardonnay
- Riesling
- Sauvignon Blanc
What are the climactic features of Canterbury?
- The entire region is very cool, and the wind is constant.
- The region is frequently struck by rain.
How does Canterbury’s topography generally affect the climate?
- The plains around and south of Christchurch are very windy and exposed.
- The undulating land north of here (around Waipara) is well shielded against the winds.
What’s the soil composition like in Canterbury?
- In the plains, silty over gravel, sometimes covered with thin Loess.
- Waipara is mostly calcerous loam with clay and limestone deposits.
To which famous terroir can Canterbury be likened (in parts)?
Burgundy
Name some reputable producers in the region of Canterbury
- Bell Hill
- Pyramid Valley
- Fiddlers Green
- Waipara Springs
- Black Estate
- Tiki
- Pegasus Bay
How can wines of Canterbury be generally described?
- Reds are **Fruity, spicy **and fresh
- Whites are slighty **sharp, **with **mineral **and lemon.
What are the northernmost wine-growing regions on the south island?
Marlborough (north east) and Nelson (north west)
What are the principal grapes of Marlborough?
**Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc **and Chardonnay
Where are the soils in Marlborough young?
North of Highways 6 and 63
(which run east-west through the Wairau Valley)
Where are the Marlborough soils old?
South of Highway 63
The older soil here is too poorly drained for fine wine, but higher ground in the region can produce some good pinot noir.
What are the unique features of Marlborough’s climate?
The unusual combination of longs days, cold nights, bright sunshine and (in good years) dryish autumns.
What is the average growing-season temperature in Marlborough?
15.4°C
Name some subregions in Marlborough
- Upper Wairau
- Brancott Valley
- Lower Wairau
- Renwick
- Rapuara
Which Marlborough subregion is drier and cooler?
Awatere Valley
What are the Wairau Valley’s best known/most significant producers?
- Cloudy Bay
- Mount Riley
- Drylands
- Brancott Estate
- Wairau River
- Greywacke
- Seresin Estate
What are Awatere Valley’s best known/most significant producers?
- Yealands
- Clos Marguerite
- Blind River
- Vavasour
- Tupari
How can wines of Marlborough be generally described?
- Pinot Noir is fruity and lively
- Sauvignon Blanc is **fragrant **and **sharp **with **citrus, green fruit **or fresh grass
What is the southernmost wine-growing region in New Zealand’s north island?
Wairarapa
What are Wairarapa’s principle grape varieties?
- Pinot Noir
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Gris
As well as being most abundant (seconded by Shiraz), it is also the north island’s most successful shot at high quality Pinot Noir
What is the quality of the region’s soil?
Thin, poor soils on free-draining deep gravels, silts and clay.
What is the most prominent wine-making town in Wairarapa?
Martinborough
What are the prevailing features of Wairarapa’s climate?
- It’s very cool
- Thanks to the mountains to the west though, it’s also very dry.*
- It has a large diurnal temperature variation
What is Wairarapa’s main wine style?
It produces Pinot Noir sometimes comparable with that of Burgundy
What are Wairarapa’s most notable producers?
- Ata Rangi
- Kusuda
- Dry River
- Borthwick
- Matahiwi
Where is Hawke’s Bay?
On the south-east of the north island
What are the two largest towns in Hawke’s Bay?
Napier on the coast and Hastings a little further south, inland.
What is Hawke’s Bay’s principle wine style?
Due to the area’s relatively high temperatures and low rainfall, Hawke’s Bay produces a very convincing and successful attempt at Bordeaux style reds.
Shiraz/Syrah is also very successful here.
Why are the soils so successful in Hawke’s Bay?
Despite being incredibly varied in quality, there are soils of poor enough quality to allow for controlled irrigation.
What are some of the most notable producers in Hawke’s Bay?
- Alpha Domus
- Te Awa
- Crossroads
- La Collina
- Mission
- Vidal
- Trinity Hill
How can wines of Hawke’s Bay be generally described?
- The reds are **elegant, structured, fruity **and **juicy **and with good potential for aging
- The whites are richer and fuller than those of the south island
