New Zealand Flashcards
Who planted the first grapes in New Zealand, and in what year?
Rev. Samuel Marsden
1819
In what region were the first grapes planted?
Northland
True/False: Records exist of Samuel Marsden producing wine at Kerikeri.
False
In what year did James Busby establish a vineyard in New Zealand?
1836
List two of Romeo Bragato’s accomplishments concerning viticulture in New Zealand.
Identified phylloxera and suggest the use of resistant rootstock
Identified many modern wine regions.
Romeo Bragato is credited with identify many of New Zealand’s modern wine regions with what notable exception?
Marlborough
What ultimately kept national prohibition from passing in New Zealand?
Votes from returning service men after WWI
Why were low quality, hybrid grapes popular during the Temperance Movement?
They could be sold as table grapes if prohibition was passed
Immune to phylloxera
Briefly explain the term “Six O’Clock Swill”
An early closing time for pubs in Australia and New Zealand
Kept men from being out late from their wives and families
What producer/company established the first commercial vineyard in Marlborough? In what year?
Montana, 1973
Who established Cloudy Bay, and in what year?
David Hohnen, 1985
What producer launched Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to international fame?
Cloudy Bay
What is the Screwcap Initiative?
An international association that promotes the use of the closure
What climate type characterizes New Zealand overall?
Maritime
Generally, how does the climate differ between the North and South Island?
North = warmer, wetter
South = cooler
Where does New Zealand fall on the Heat Summation Index?
Region I
Name the only region in New Zealand to experience a continental climate.
Central Otago
How does the intense solar radiation in Central Otago impact the wines produced?
Bright, intense fruit flavors w/o high alcohol
What is responsible for the intense solar radiation experienced in Central Otago?
A hole in the Ozone Layer
Who is Richard Smart, and what was his impact on viticulture?
Government viticulturist (1982-1990) Proponent of canopy management
Herbaceous flavors and fungal diseases may be caused by what viticultural problem?
Dense, overly shaded canopies
True/False: Martinborough experiences the driest and windiest climate on the North Island
True
Grapes in this region are the first to see the sun each day.
Gisborne
In what region are the highest altitude plantings in New Zealand found?
Central Otago
Wine regions in New Zealand run on A) North-South B) East-West axis.
A) North-South
Most wine regions are found along the A) Western B) Eastern side of the country
B) Eastern
Waiheke Island is located in what body of water?
Hauraki Gulf
What large bay on the east side of New Zealand lends its name to the adjacent wine region?
Hawke’s Bay
Name two mountain ranges that help create a rain shadow in Hawke’s Bay.
Ruahine, Kaweka
True/False: The majority of vineyards in New Zealand are planted on gently sloping hillsides.
False.
Most vineyards are planted on flatlands
What geographic feature separates the North and South Islands?
Cook Strait
Name the major mountain range that forms the spine of the South Island.
Southern Alps
In what region would you find Wither Hills?
Marlborough
Gimblett Gravels is both a subregion and soil type in what larger wine region?
Hawke’s Bay
Describe the characteristic(s) of Gimblett Gravels
Deep shingle soils (small pebbles rounded by water)
What body of water created the Gimblett Gravels?
Ngaruroro River
Describe Greywacke soils.
Dark grey sandstone with high clay content
Aside from New Zealand, have 3 other countries where Greywacke soils are found.
South Africa - Western Cape
United States - Russian River Valley
Germany - Mosel, Ahr, Mittelrhein
Describe the general soil composition/type found in Central Otago.
Loess topsoils over schist and gravel
What are the top 6 varietals produced in New Zealand?
Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Noir Chardonnay Pinot Gris Merlot Riesling
What was the most planted grape in New Zealand in 1960?
Isabella (Albany Surprise)
Vitis labrusca varietals are often described as “foxy.” What does this term mean?
Wines have more animalistic aromatics rather than fruit
True/False: There are no grapes native to New Zealand.
True
Why are low fertility soils prized for Sauvignon Blanc?
The vine is very vigorous. Low fertility soils help keep shoot and leaf growth in check, making for canopy management easier.
What is “Mother Vine Six?” From where did it originate?
A clone of Pinot Noir brought by James Busby to Australia in 1831
The material is from Clos Vougeot
Name two vine training methods developed in New Zealand.
RT2T - Ruakura Twin Two-Tier
TK2T - Te Kauwhata Two-Tier
Lincoln Canopy
Why is mechanical harvesting the preferred method in New Zealand?
Cheap, consistent manual labor is hard to find.
Explain why New Zealand lacks bulk wine production.
There is little land to spare
True/False: New Zealand wines hold a lower price per bottle average than the rest of the world.
False
They command a higher price per bottle average than any other country
Name 3 biological hazards facing New Zealand’s grape growers.
Phylloxera
Fanleaf Degeneration
Leaf Roll Virus
What is the only long-term solution for dealing with vine affected by Fanleaf Degeneration or Leaf Roll Virus?
The vines must be removed.
When does harvest usually occur in New Zealand?
February-May
As late as June in some parts of Central Otago
Irrigation is used for what two primary purposes?
Establish new vineyards
Relieve vine stress during dry summers
How does Sauvignon Blanc from the North and South Islands differ?
North = richer, more ripe fruit South = pungent, crisp, herbaceous
Pinot Gris from New Zealand is often likened to what Old World style?
Alsace
Gisborne was originally known/recognized for the production of what varietal?
Chardonnay
What method of producing sparkling wine is employed by New Zealand winemakers?
Traditional Method
List the following regions in descending order of their plantings to Pinot Noir: Wairarapa/Martinborough, Marlborough, Central Otago
Marlborough
Central Otago
Martinborough
Are Pinot Noirs from the Bannockburn subregion more likely to show bright or dark fruit characteristics?
Dark fruit
Pinot Noir from Marlborough is likely to show A) Bright red fruits B) Dark red fruits
A) Bright red fruits
Wines from which of the following subregions are known for having a dried thyme/herb quality: Gibbston, Bannockburn, Alexandra.
Alexandra
Over 70% of Syrah in New Zealand is planted in what wine region?
Hawke’s Bay
Aside from Hawke’s Bay, what other region/subregion produces noteworthy Syrah?
Auckland/Waiheke Island
Bordeaux varietals are dominantly found on which island?
North Island
List two factors that led to the widespread use of stainless steel tanks over oak in the vinification and elevage processes?
A robust dairy industry = stainless tanks widely available
NZ’s isolation makes oak very expensive to import
What are custom crush facilities?
Wineries specializing in vinifying grapes on behalf of many different winemakers
What producer was the first to commercially release a wine under screwcap?
Kim Crawford
Define “lifestyle winery.”
A small winery established and run by young, middle aged people w/ funding from another career; done for the appeal instead of commercial prospects
Keeping in line with EU regulation, the 85% Rule currently applies to claims on wine labels?
Vintage
Variety
Why does the 85% Rule not apply to New Zealand wine regions?
Regions are not legally recognized Geographic Indications…yet…
True/False: Vintage declaration on New Zealand wines is mandatory.
False
Vintage declaration is optional
“Gimblett Gravels” is a trademarked brand owned by what organization?
Gimblett Gravels Wine Growers Association
What requirements must be met for “Gimblett Gravels” to appear on a wine label?
Membership in the GGWGA
Grapes harvested from a vineyard w/ min 95% GG soil
Min. 95% grapes from within GG subregion
Where it Kerikeri, and what is its significance?
In Northland on the North Island
Site of the Rev. Samuel Marsden’s plantings (the first in NZ)
Name the 3 subregions of Marlborough.
Wairau Valley
Southern Valleys
Awatere Valley
Which subregion of Central Otago is considered the most successful?
Bannockburn
Name the 3 largest wine regions in New Zealand, in descending order of hectares planted.
Marlborough
Hawke’s Bay
Central Otago
The dominant red grape of the South Island is __________.
Pinot Noir
The Tasman Mountain, Waimea Bay, and Golden Bay are are geographical features associated with what wine region?
Nelson
Peregrine, Mt. Difficulty, and Rippon are all highly regarded producers based in what region?
Central Otago
The Waipara Valley and Cheviot Hills are subregions of what larger region? On what island are they found?
Canterbury; South Island
The majority of New Zealand’s large producers are based in what region, and on which island?
Auckland; North Island
Per 2017 statistics, what is the smallest producing wine region in New Zealand?
Waikato/Bay of Plenty
