New Zealand

Question 1

New Zealand

Answer 1

With its extreme southerly latitude and cool maritime breezes New Zealand could be considered as one of the most ideal locations in the Southern Hemisphere to produce sparkling wines. Products range from clean and fresh fruit driven, in textbook New Zealand style, to complex autolytic Champagne imitations.

Question 2

Location- NZ

Answer 2

Sparkling wine production is concentrated in Marlsborough

Question 3

Climate- NZ

Answer 3

Marlborough has a cool climate with dry, sunny summers.

Question 4

Soils- NZ

Answer 4

Soils are free draining, and sometime irrigation is needed

Question 5

Grape Varieties- NZ

Answer 5

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the most popular grape varieties.

Question 6

Winery- NZ

Answer 6

Premium wines are usually made by traditional method. Transfer method may also be used. More basic wines are made by tank method, leading to fresher, fruitier styles of wine for immediate consumption.

Question 7

Styles- NZ

Answer 7

Non- vintage, Vintage, Blanc de Blancs, and Rose are most frequently seen styles. Common with most of the new world, reliable ripening conditions mean vintage variation is not as marked as it in Champagne, and thus most wines are based on the base wines from a single vintage. Vintage wines do not have the same quality connotations as they do in Champagne.

Question 8

Important Trade Structures- NZ

Answer 8

There are a few estates that specialises in sparkling wine. However, most producers have a sparkling wine as part of a wider portfolio of still wines. A number of producers use contract facilities to bottle, age and disgorge their sparkling wines to avoid the costs of specialised equipment and benefit from highly skilled staff.