New Zealand Flashcards
What is NZs flagship grape?
Sauvignon Blanc
What is NZ climate?
Cool Maritime in the South Island
Warmer Maritime in the North
What trifecta of climate conditions allos for the development of grapes with high sugar and flavour ripeness while retaining acidity?
Long sunshine hours (latitude)
Nights cooled by sea breezes
Long ripening period
What is the main climatic risk in NZ?
Rainfall
Where are most vineyards found in South Island NZ and why?
East coast as the Alps protect them from worst of rain-bearing westerly winds
What have NZ grape-growers become experts in?
Trellising and other canopy management techniques
What is the New Zealand wine industry strongly committed to in terms of vineyard management and winery practices?
Sustainability
What are the four main white grapes found in NZ?
Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Riesling
Pinot Gris
What are two distinctive aromas of NZ Sauvignon Blanc in general?
Passion fruit and Elderflower
There are subtle differences in the style of North and South islands. Where the North island produces SB with more tropical flavours, the South island SB present what characteristics?
Gooseberry
Green bell pepper
Higher acidity
NZ Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles. What is a general description?
Citrus and tropical fruits with subtle hints of toast and sweet spice from new french oak
When dealing with Riesling, Gewurtz and semi-aromatic Pinot Gris, what two climatic elements ensure the development of aromatic compounds?
Dry autumns
Cool nights
What spectrum of sweetness are NZ Rielsings and Pinot Gris made in? What is the most prevalent style?
Range from dry to sweet
Off-dry most prevalent
What is the second most planted grape variety in NZ?
Pinot Noir
What kind of alcohol levels might you find in NZ Pinot Noir?
Quite high
What three black grapes are also relevant?
Merlot, Cab Sauv
Syrah
Syrah from NZ can be compared to Syrah from where else?
The Rhone
What are the four main regions of the North Island?
Auckland
Gisborne
Hawke’s Bay
Wairarapa
Which warm North Island region is the wettest?
Auckland
What grapes are most predominant in Auckland?
Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah
Which North Island region experiences high rainfall but high temperatures and sunshine during ripening season? It is planted to over 50% Chardonnay
Gisborne
Which two grapes produce small amounts of high quality whites in Gisborne?
Gewurtztraminer
Pinot Gris
Which region, based on the east coast estuary plain, is the warmest grape growing area with the longest sunshine hours?
Hawke’s Bay
What is the name of the parcel of well-drained, heat-absorbing gravel soils on the valley floor in Hawke’s Bay?
Gimblett Gravels
What grapes is Hawke’s Bay known for? What other grape produces premium wines?
Merlot and Cab Sauv
Syrah
Which region is Martinborough found in?
Wairarapa
Which grape is Martinborough famous for?
Pinot Noir
Summer temperatures in Martinborough (Wairarapa) can be hot. What allows the successful development of Pinot Noir?
High diurnal
Pinot Noir from Martinborough is… and displays hints of…? (body, flavour)
Medium to Full bodies
Dark plum and spice
What are the four main regions of the South Island?
Marlborough
Nelson
Canterbury
Central Otago
Which South Island regions is the major centre fro grape growing in NZ?
Marlborough
Vineyards in Marlborough are split between two adjacent estuary valleys, Wairau and Awatere. Which is the larger area with long sunny days and a range of aspects to work with? What is SB from the other valley like?
Wairau is the larger area
Awatare is cooler and as such has more retained acidity and a pronounced herbaceous character.
Which black grape garners most attention in Marlborough? What kind of body and flavour do we see here?
Pinot Noir
Medium bodied with flavours of cherry and cranberry
What two white grapes do well in Marlborough, aside from Sauvignon Blanc?
Riesling and Pinot Gris
Which region sits adjacent to Marlborough but is cooler and wetter?
Nelson
What plantings dominate in Nelson? (3)
Pinot Noir, Sauv Blanc and Pinot Gris
Canterbury has two main centres for viticulture. One in a plain just West of Christchurch, the other is Waipara Valley. What has a cooling effect here? What two elements combat this cooling effect, particularly in Waipara?
Pacific has a cooling effect
Warm winds from the north-west
Shelter from hills
What are the two most planted varieties in Canterbury? What third grape does very well?
Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir
Riesling
Which region, located in the foothills of the NZ Alps is relatively continental and commonly sees the risk of fog?
Central Otago
What gives grapes such high alcohol in Central Otago?
Intense sunlight
What style of Pinot Noir comes from Central Otago? (Body, fruit)
Full bodied with concentrated ripe red fruit
Which three white varieties are important in Central Otago?
Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay
