New Zealand Flashcards
What are the main advantages of NZ’s climate?
The combination of long sunshine hours, nights cooled by sea breezes, and a long ripening period allows grapes to reach high levels of sugar and flavour ripeness
What has fertility of many NZ vineyards led to?
NZ growers becoming expert in trellising and other canopy management techniques.
What is the overall climate of NZ?
Maritime
The South Island’s climate is cool, whereas that of the North Island is a little warmer.
What is the main climatic problem in NZ?
Plentiful rainfall, which can be problematic during ripening
What are the differences in style between North and South Island Sauvignon Blanc?
North : more tropical flavours.
South: higher acidity and flavours of green pepper and gooseberry.
What are the common winemaking practices for Sauvignon Blanc in NZ?
Most frequently fermented in inert vessels at cool temperatures to retain fruity flavours and aromas
Some producers also make oak-matured styles as a point of difference.
What white varieties other than Sauvignon Blanc feature in NZ?
Chardonnay
Riesling
Gewurztraminer
Pinot Gris
Explain factors that make New Zealand a potential success for the aromatic varieties Riesling and Gewurztraminer.
Dry autumns and cool night temperatures ensure aromatic compounds have plenty of time to develop before the grapes are harvested.
What’s the climate like in Auckland and the associated problem?
Main grape varieties grown?
Warm and wettest part of New Zealand
- fungal disease a problem
- Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah the main varieties
- Waiheke Island is popular, particularly for its reds
What is the characteristic wine from Gisborne?
Chardonnay, which displays distinct ripe tropical fruit flavours.
Explain the reasons why Hawke’s Bay region built its fame on Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in Bordeaux-style blends.
It is the warmest of the main grape growing areas and has the longest sunshine hours.
Diversity of soils, aspect and altitude support cultivation of black varieties.
e.g. Gimblett Gravels is a parcel of welldrained heat-absorbing gravel soil on the valley floor.
Most important area around Martinborough in Wairarapa has global reputation for Pinot Noir.
Explain the climatic factors that contribute to this success and the characteristics of the wine?
- summer temperatures are high in Martinborough but wide diurnal range makes it a suitable area for Pinot Noir, which otherwise could become jammy and unattractive.
- medium- to full-bodied ripe wines with hints of dark plum and spice
What is the major centre for Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand?
Marlborough
What are the differences btw climate of Awatere and Wairau valleys ?
How this effect the resulting wines?
Wairau Valley has long sunny days.
By far the largest valley, it offers a range of aspects and altitudes to attain riper, tropical aromas.
Awatere Valley is drier, cooler and windier. As a result, the Sauvignon Blancs from here have a higher acidity with a pronounced herbaceous character and lack the tropical fruit flavours that can be found in some of the wines from the Wairau Valley.
What is the largest centre of viticulture in Canterbury ?
Which grape varieties are grown?
Waipara Valley
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are the most planted varieties, but is also noted for the high quality of its Riesling.
