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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) > New Zealand > Flashcards

New Zealand Flashcards

Learn New Zealand's wine laws, major wine growing areas, grapes, and styles.

1
Q

In which hemisphere is New Zealand located?

A

Southern Hemisphere

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2
Q

Where is New Zealand in relation to Australia?

A

New Zealand is ~1300 miles southeast of Australia

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3
Q

New Zealand has two islands:

the _____ Island and the _____ Island.

A
  • North Island
  • South Island
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4
Q

Of all the winemaking countries in the world, New Zealand is the world’s:

  • northernmost
  • southernmost
  • only one at the Equator
A

Southernmost

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5
Q

What are the bodies of water surrounding New Zealand?

A

To the east: Pacific Ocean

To the west: Tasman Sea

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6
Q

What is the name of the body of water between Australia and New Zealand?

A

Tasman Sea

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7
Q

In what year were the first vines planted in New Zealand?

A

1819

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8
Q

Who was the first to make wine in New Zealand, and when?

A

James Busby in 1836.

Read up on who James Busby was here. He was an important figure in New Zealand’s wine history.

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9
Q

Why didn’t New Zealand wine really take off until the 1990s?

A

Several setbacks, including:

  • phylloxera, early 20th century
  • temperance movement, 1910-1919
  • economic depression, 1929-1938
  • wine not allowed for sale in restaurants until 1960
  • wine not allowed for sale in supermarkets until 1990
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10
Q

Mass planting in New Zealand took off in what decade?

A

1990s

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11
Q

What are the climates of the North Island?

A
  • Northern part of the North Island: Warm - some areas being humid, some dry
  • Southern part of the North Island: Maritime
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12
Q

What are the climates of the South Island?

A
  • Northern part of the South Island: Cool
  • Southern part of the South Island: Continental
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13
Q

What are the effects of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean on the winegrowing regions of New Zealand?

A
  • Lessen temperature variation
  • Moderate the growing season

The South Island sees so much sunshine, this temperature moderation helps the grapes retain acidity.

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14
Q

What are the 2 main white grapes of New Zealand?

A
  1. Sauvignon Blanc
  2. Chardonnay
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15
Q

What are the 4 main red grapes of New Zealand?

A
  1. Pinot Noir
  2. Cabernet Sauvignon
  3. Syrah
  4. Merlot
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16
Q

Much like Australia, New Zealand’s winemakers are innovators and forward-thinking.

Give 3 examples of their modern mindset.

A
  1. Viticulture (mechanical harvesting)
  2. Winemaking is clean, modern, precise
  3. Screwcap Wine Seal Initiative 2001
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17
Q

More than ____% of New Zealand’s total wine production is finished with screw caps.

A

85%

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18
Q

What appellation system does New Zealand employ as of February 2019?

A

Geographical Indication (GI)

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19
Q

What are the 3 biggest GIs of New Zealand?

A
  • New Zealand GI
  • North Island GI
  • South Island GI
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20
Q

In New Zealand, if a bottle of wine has a stated grape what minimum percent of the wine must that grape be?

21
Q

In New Zealand, if a bottle of wine has a stated vintage on the label what minimum percent must the wine be from that vintage?

22
Q

In New Zealand, if a bottle of wine has a stated GI on the label what minimum percent of the wine come from that GI?

23
Q

What are the 4 regions to know on New Zealand’s North Island?

A
  1. Auckland
  2. Wairarapa
  3. Gisborne
  4. Hawke’s Bay
24
Q

Run through Auckland’s:

  • location
  • climate
  • grapes
A
  • Northern tip of North Island
  • Warm + humid Maritime
  • Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
25
Run through Wairarapa's: * location * grapes
* Southernmost part of North Island * Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
26
What is the important subregion of Wairarapa? What grape is it known for?
* Martinborough * Pinot Noir
27
Run through Gisborne's: * climate * grapes
* Cool Maritime * Chardonnay, Pinot Gris (white grapes!)
28
Run through Hawke's Bay's: * climate * grapes
* Moderate **Maritime** * Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc * Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
29
Which wine region on the North Island has the driest climate?
Hawke's Bay
30
What is the important subregion of Hawke's Bay?
Gimblett Gravels
31
What is important about the Gimblett Gravels subregion?
* **Warmer** inland area * **Gravelly soils** which aren't found elsewhere in Hawke's Bay * Has an **excellent reputation for making premium reds**: Syrah and Bordeaux-style red blends from Cab Sauv + Merlot
32
What is the name of the mountain range on New Zealand's South Island?
The Southern Alps
33
What role do The Southern Alps play in the South Island's wine regions?
They create a **rain shadow**, defending the wine regions from strong winds and bad weather coming off the Tasman Sea.
34
What are the 3 regions to know on New Zealand's South Island?
1. Marlborough 2. Canterbury 3. Central Otago
35
Where is Marlborough located?
Northern tip of South Island
36
Run through Marlborough's: * climate * grapes
* **Long growing season**: dry, cool yet very sunny * Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
37
Marlborough accounts for more than \_\_\_\_% of all of New Zealand's total wine production.
\>50%
38
Sauvignon Blanc accounts for \_\_\_\_% of all vines planted in Marlborough.
80%
39
Thanks to the long, dry growing season of Marlborough and its cool nights, what does that mean for the grapes?
Grapes **retain naturally high acidity**
40
Irrigation in Marlborough is: * widely used * never used
Widely used ## Footnote *It's a dry climate, so irrigation is necessary*
41
Which region on the South Island is seeing the fastest growth?
Canterbury
42
Where is Canterbury located?
Between Marlborough and Central Otago on the east side of the South Island, facing the Pacific.
43
Run through Canterbury's: * climate * grapes
* Cool Continental * Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir
44
Where is Central Otago located?
Southernmost wine region on the South Island
45
Run through Central Otago's: * climate * grape
* Cool Continental, with low humidity * Pinot Noir
46
What is unique about Central Otago's location (in regards to its parallel)?
Some vineyards are **planted below the 45th parallel**, making them some of the world's most southern-planted grapes.
47
New Zealand's wine region highest in altitude is:
Central Otago
48
Why are most of Central Otago's vineyards planted facing north (facing the Equator)?
To maximize sun exposure
49
Central Otago's climate is almost like an Alpine climate. What factors does that include?
* Intensely sunny but cool * High elevation * Dry growing season

Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) (40 decks)

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