New Zealand Flashcards
What variety is New Zealand best known for?
SauvBlanc. Benchmark for producers around the world.
What is the climate of New Zealand.
Maritime. South cooler, north, warmer
What allows New Zeland to flourish as a wine growing country?
Long days, nights cooled by sea breezes and a long ripening period allows grapes to reach high levels of sugar and flavor ripeness while retaining acidity. Vineyards of the south are located on the east side protected from westerly winds by mountains in the center of the island. Rainfall can be problematic during ripening. However soils are freedraining. Flat land can be overly fertile leading to excessive leaf groth. Therefore they are experts in trellising and canopy management.
What type of wine growing does New Zealand practice?
Sustainable.
What white varieties does New Zealand grow?
SauvBlanc, Chard, Riesling, Pinot Gris.
What black varieties does New Zealand grow?
Pinot, Merlot, Cab, Syrah.
Describe a typical N.Z. SauvBlanc.
Pungent aromas, intense flavors of elderflower and passion fruit, high acidity.
How does the SauvBlanc differ b/w north and south?
Warmer north has more tropical flavors; South has higher acidity, green bell peppers and gooseberry. Both generally fermented in stainless steel, but some use oak.
Describe a N.Z. Chard.
Different styles, but generally concentrated citrus and tropical fruits with hints of toast and sweet spice from new French oak.
What contributes to the growing use of aromatic whites (Riesling, Gewurtztraminer and semi-aromatic Pinot Gris).
Dry autumns and cool nights allow time for grapes to develop before harvest.
What is the second most planted grape in N.Z.?
Pinot Noir. Generally grown in the South Island.
Describe the profile of a N.Z. Pinot.
Vibrant fruit, ripe fine tannins, soft texture and high alcohol.
What is the second most planted red?
Merlot. Sometimes blended with cab to add tannin and cassis. Noted for their purity of fruit flavors.
The production of reds are strongly concentrated on which island?
North due to warmer temperatures.
N.Z. Syrah more closely resembles an Australian or Rhone Syrah?
Rhone.
Name the wine regions in the North Island?
Auckland, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa.
What is the warmest and wettest region?
Auckland. Fungal diseases are an issue.
What are the varieties in Gisborn?
Over half Chard (ripe tropical fruit). Small @ of Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Gris.
Which area is the warmest of the main grape growing areas and has the longest sunshine?
Hawke’s Bay. Second to only Marlborough in plantings.
Name the area in Hawke’s Bay that has well drained, heat absorbing gravel soil on the valley floor that has a particularly high reputation for black varieties.
Gimblett Gravels.
Wairarapa, the region furtherest south on the North Island, has a global reputation for Pinot. It is next to what small town?
Martinborough. Medium to full body and lots of dark plum and spice.
Name the regions in the South Island.
Marlborough, Nelson, Cantebury, Central Otago.
Nelson is to the west of Marlborough. How does its climate differ?
Cooler and wetter. SauvBlanc, Pinot, Pinot Gris.
Describe Cantebury’s two main centers of viticulture.
The plain immediately west of Christchurch - exposed to the cooling of the Pacific. Waipara Valley to the north. Both have a warming effect from north-west winds, but the impact is more marked in Waipara, which is less exposed to the ocean due to a range of hills. SauvBlanc, Pinot, and some high quality Riesling.
Where is Central Otago located?
Furtherest region south in N.Z. Inland in the foothills of the southern N.Z. Alps.
What is the climate of Central Otago?
Continental. Frost damage a risk both in spring and autumn. Summers are warm but large diurnal range. Intense sunlight that produces high alcohol. Produces full bodied, juicy and vibrant pinot with concentrated red ripe fruit flavors.
