New Zealand Flashcards
Sauvignon Blanc export percentage 2014
SB made up 86% of NZ total wine exports in 2014 (somm journal)
NZ climate
Cool maritime climate with varied soil types
How far so NZ from another land mass?
1000 miles/ 1600km from Australia
NZ vineyard acreage and coverage
20,000 hectares in 9 regions spanning over 700 miles - nearly full length of country. Still very small on world production scale
James Busby influence on NZ wine
First British resident in NZ, established vineyard in waitangi and sold wine to British troops. 1830’s
NZ geography
Located in Southern Hemisphere. Grows worlds most southerly grapes. Due to its cool climate it is patrolled to great wines of Europe. If it were in the n hem, landmass would would extend from N Africa to Paris. It has equivalent latitudes, There’s no moderating effect from gulf steam like there is in Europe, so it is relatively cooler overall than in north
Climate northern and southern islands
Both cool maritime but there are broad differences. North island warmer, South Island cooler. High rainfall, can affect harvest and ripening time this affecting quality of grapes.
Factors affecting NZ grape quality in vineyard - and ways to combat it
Rainfall - heavy rainfall during fruit set, ripening and harvest can dilute grapes.
Vigorous vines (i.e. SB) results in too much shading of the fruit leading to green, vegetal unripe flavors
Ways to combat - good site selection(soils, drainage, aspect) good canopy management, and cover crops to help with both over over vig vines (competition) and lapping up excess water.
Phylloxera in NZ
Arrived in late 1800s. Still threatens 1/10 of counties vines which are planted on their own rootstocks. Very strict quarantine regulations are in place.
Richard smart
Came up with important, industry changing canopy management techniques which had huge effect on NZ industry. NZ regarded as cradle of knowledge for canopy management techniques. Marlborough harvest dates improved by 7 days. Huge viticultural influence in NZ during 1980s.
NZ harvest
Feb- may (can be as late as jun in central Otago)
Viticulture
Due to relatively flat land mechanical harvesting is widely used. NZ has its own special lead plucking machine …Gallagher leaf plucking machine. Mechanization obviously brings down cost in vineyard and then overall in wine.
NZ wine making
Stainless steel made locally - cost effective
Barriques are very costly due to importation from Europe. Raises prices.
No regulations on acidification, de acidification or enrichment. All permitted.
Screw cap closures are widely used. More than 2/3 wine produced use screwcaps.
Winemaker is far more revered than the vineyard - direct contrast to burgundy for example.
Montana
Owners of villa Maria, brancott
Dominates the industry. Owned by Pernod Ricard
Nobilo/constellation brands also huge player.
Has large bag in box bulk winery in gisbourne, used to account for 60% of nations wine sales, but now less than 30%
Constellation brands
Owners of nobilo
NZ winegrowers
Association that every grape grower must be a part of in NZ. Formed in 1975. Collects production based fee from members.
Large Impact on development of image and quality of wine. Aided in NZ branding campaign in UK.
Wine regions (north to south) -9
Northland Auckland (waiheke island) Gisborne Hawkes bay Martinborough/wairarapa Nelson Marlborough Canterbury Central Otago
