New Zealand

Question 1

What is the general climate of New Zealand?

Answer 1

Influence of Pacific Ocean = Maritime climate

Question 2

What is the Key For Success of NZ wine?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

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

Answer 3

Rain can be a problem during ripening but most soils are free draining

Question 4

What are the main black and white grapes of NZ?

Answer 4

Pinot Noir

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 5

How would you descripe a typical NZ Sauvignan Blanc?

How would you expect it to be fermented?

Answer 5

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

Fermented in temperature controlled inert vessels

Question 6

List the 5 most popular white grapes in NZ

Answer 6

Sauvignon Blanc

Chardonnay

Rielsing, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris

Question 7

How would you describe a typical NZ Chardonnay?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Why do aromatic white grapes thrive in NZ?

Answer 8

Because the cool nights retain the aromatic compounds in the grapes

Question 9

What are the top 4 black grapes in NZ?

Answer 9

Pinot Noir

Merlot

Canernet Sauvignon

Syrah

Question 10

Describe a typical NZ Pinot Noir

Answer 10

Vibrant fruit, fine ripe tannins, soft texture, quite hi alc

Question 11

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

Answer 11

Auckland

Gisbourne

Hawke’s Bay

Wairarapa

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Almost the most northern part of North Island

Warmest, wettest part of NZ with a RISK of Fungal diseases

Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah

Question 13

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

Answer 13

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 14

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

Answer 14

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 15

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 15

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 16

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 16

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 17

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

Answer 17

Nelson

Marlborough inc. Wairau and Awatere Valley

Canterbury

Central Otago

Question 18

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

Answer 18

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

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

Question 19

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

Answer 19

West of Christchurch - Plains, cooled by Pacific Ocean

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

Question 20

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

Answer 20

NE tip South Island

Wairau - Largest estuary, long sunny days. Side valleys giving aspects and altitudes.
Outstanding Pinot Noir
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 - Med body, fine tannins, cherry and cranberry flavours

Question 21

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

Answer 21

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 22

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 22

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.
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir plus hi quality Riesling

Question 23

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

Answer 23

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 helps ripenning.
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.

Question 24

List the 4 Natural factors of wine