New Zealand

Question 1

What is the name of the initiative to promote the reduction of environmental impact in winemaking in New Zealand?

Answer 1

“Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand”

Question 2

What is the general climate of New Zealand?

Answer 2

Influence of Pacific Ocean = Maritime climate

Question 3

What is the key climate conditions that make great NZ wine?

Answer 3

Long days/sunshine hours, nights cooled by sea breezes, and long Autumnal ripening period = High sugar, High flavor ripeness and retained acidity

Question 4

What is one potential hazard of grape growing in NZ. How is it, in part, naturally mitigated?

Answer 4

Rain can be a problem during ripening but most soils do not get waterlogged

Question 5

What are the main black and white grapes of NZ?

Answer 5

Pinot Noir

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 6

How would you descripe a typical NZ Sauvignan Blanc?

How would you expect it to be fermented?

Answer 6

Pungent aromas, intense flavours of elderflower and passion fruit with hi acidity.

Fermented in temperature controlled inert vessels

Question 7

List the 5 most popular white grapes in NZ

Answer 7

Sauvignon Blanc

Chardonnay

Rielsing, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris

Question 8

How would you describe a typical NZ Chardonnay?

Answer 8

Concentrated citrus and tropical fruits with subtle toast and sweet spice from new French oak

Question 9

Why do aromatic white grapes thrive in NZ?

Answer 9

Because the cool nights retain the aromatic compounds in the grapes

Question 10

What are the top 4 black grapes in NZ?

Answer 10

Pinot Noir

Merlot

Canernet Sauvignon

Syrah

Question 11

Describe a typical NZ Pinot Noir

Answer 11

Vibrant fruit, fine ripe tannins, soft texture, often high alcohol

Question 12

Working North to South what are the 4 wine regions of North sland?

Answer 12

Auckland

Gisbourne

Hawke’s Bay

Wairarapa

Question 13

Working North to South name the 4 wine regions of NZ South Island

Answer 13

Marlborough

Nelson

Canterbury

Central Otago

Question 14

Where is Auckland wine region, what is it’s climate, what is a risk of it’s climate and what is made there?

Answer 14

Almost the most northern part of North Island

Warm climate, wettest part of NZ with a RISK of Fungal diseases

Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah (Waiheke Island reds)

Question 15

Where is Gisbourn wine region, what is it’s climate, what is and what is made there?

Answer 15

East coast of North Island

High temperatures and rainfall plus long sunshine hours

Over half of prodn is Chardonnay - Ripe tropical fruit

Small amount high quality Gewurz and full bodied
Pinot Gris too

Question 16

Whare is Hawke’s Bay wine region, what is it’s climate like and what’s made there?

Answer 16

East coast of North sland, immediately south of Gisbourne.

The warmest main growing area with longest sunshine hours. Has diverse soils, aspects and altitudes

Black grapes esp. Merlot, Can Sav made in BDX styles and Syrah too

Question 17

What is the highest quality sub region of Hawke’s Bay, what is the soil like and what does it have a high reputation for producing?

Answer 17

Gimblett Gravels

Well drained, heat absorbing gravels on the valley floor.

High reputation for producing black grapes; Merlot, Cab Sav made in a BDX style. Makes premium Syrah too.

Question 18

Where is Wairarapa, what’s the most important sub region there, what is it’s climate like, what is it most famous for making and what does it taste like?

Answer 18

Southern Tip of North Island

Martinborough

High Summer temps but wide diurnal range

Pinot Noir - med~full body and ripe with hints of dark plum and spice

Question 19

Working North to South name the 4 wine regions of NZ South Island

Answer 19

Nelson

Marlborough (inc. Wairau and Awatere Valleys)

Canterbury

Central Otago

Question 20

Name the two sub regions of Marlborough and summarise the main differences between them

Answer 20

Wairau - Largest estuary, long sunny days, side valleys give aspects and altitudes

Awatere Valley - Drier, cooler, windier = leaner, more acidic wines.

Question 21

Name the two subregions of Canterbury and briefly summarise the differences between them.

Answer 21

West of Christchurch - Plains, cooled by Pacific Ocean

Waipara Valley - Warmed by NW winds, and less exposed to Ocean influence

Question 22

Where is Marlborough wine region, what is it’s climate like and what’s made there in the two main areas?

Answer 22

NE tip of the South Island

Wairau - Largest area, long sunny days. Side valleys giving aspects and altitudes.

Mostly Sauvignon Blanc = Tropical Fruit

Awatere Valley - Drier, cooler and windier = leaner, more acidic wines.
Sauvignon Blanc - higher acidity and pronounced herbaceous character.

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir too for still and sparkling.
Still Pinot Noir - getting impressive

Riesling + Pinot Gris too

Question 23

Where is Nelson wine region, what is it’s climate like and what’s made there?

Answer 23

North coast of South Island directly west of Marlborough

Cooler and wetter than Marlborough due to exposure to westerlies from Pacific Ocean.

Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris

Question 24

Where is Canterbury wine region, what are it’s two sub regions, what is the climate like in each and what’s made there?

Answer 24

East coast of South Island immediately south of Marlborough.

The plain to west of Christchurch - Exposed to cooling from Pacific with slight warming from NW winds.
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir

Larger one, Waipara Valley, to the north - Less exposed to Pacific due to range of hills and more exposed to warm NW winds.

High Quality Riesling
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir

Question 25

Where is Central Otago wine region, what is it’s climate like and what is made there?

Answer 25

Inland in foothills of Southern New Zealand Alps, south of Canterbury.

Continental climate with RISK of frost damage in Spring and Autumn. Summers warm but large diurnal range. Very intense sunlight = Hi alc
Spread over a number of diff aspects, soils and altitudes

Mainly Pinot Noir, Full bodied, juicy and vibrant with concentrated ripe fruit flavours.
Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay too.