New Zealand Breakdown Flashcards
The Growing Environment and Grape Growing
cool maritime climate (except Central Otago), high proportion of sunshine hours. The cool Pacific Ocean moderates what could otherwise be a warm area (Rome and Marlborough are the same distance from the equator
36°–46°S latitude. Two main islands, North and South, separated by the Cook Strait, is relatively isolated in the South Pacific Ocean, being 1,900km east of Australia, 5,000 km north of Antarctica, and 9,000 km west of Chile.
New Zealand’s vineyards are predominantly found on the east of the islands. Southern Alps run the length of the South Island and protect vineyards from excessive rains and the prevailing winds that blow in from the Tasman Sea.
As rainfall levels are often quite high, humidity and therefore fungal diseases can be a problem, especially in the warmer North Island
Grape Varieties and Winemaking
Sauvignon Blanc which is usually produced in an unoaked dry style, typically with pronounced green fruit and tropical flavours and high acidity. Malolactic conversion is avoided to preserve the high levels of acidity and to prevent any dairy notes. Oak fermentation and maturation are also avoided in this case, as is any extended lees contact.
Low planting densities (often 2,000–2,500 vines/ha). Overall yield per hectare is typically quite high (the average yield in New Zealand in 2018 was equivalent to approximately 70 hL/ha)
Regions
North Island:
Greater Auckland - three sub-regions, Waiheke Island (cab/syrah), West Auckland (increased urbanization) and Matakana. They share a moderate maritime climate, often with high humidity, and therefore fungal diseases can be an issue.
Gisborne - majority of the vines are situated on a flat, fertile floodplain consisting of clay, loam and silt. Chardonnay makes up more than 50 per cent of all plantings
Hawkes Bay - ravelly, alluvial soils similar to those found in the Médoc, have led to Bordeaux-inspired, Merlot-dominant blends. Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa are the two best-known sub-regions. Hawke’s Bay is home to 75 per cent of total Syrah plantings in New Zealand but even so the quantity is tiny
Wairarapa - produce intensely flavoured, though elegant, styles of Pinot Noir, and perfumed, but not overtly herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc. 1% NZ production by volume is here.
South Island:
Marlborough - NZ’s largest grape growing region with more than two- thirds of all plantings. grapevines are planted in the two main valleys, the Wairau (the largest) and the Awatere. Southern Valleys is the collective name for a number of north-south running valleys, located south of the main plain of the Wairau, with vineyards planted on the surrounding hillsides. Soils here have more clay than in the rest of Marlborough, which helps retain water and has a cooling influence. This slows ripening and harvesting time can be up to two weeks later than in the Wairau. Pinot Noir thrives here. To south of the Wairau, over the Wither Hills, lies the Awatere which is cooler and windier due to its proximity to the coast and higher elevation. Harvest here is later than in the rest of Marlborough. Sauvignon Blanc wines from this area are generally more herbaceous and less tropical than those found in the Wairau with very high levels of acidity, due to the cooler temperatures. Makes Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir, Chardonnay and Pinot gris
Nelson - cool maritime climate. Its westerly location means it is not quite as protected as Marlborough from the cool, wet winds from the west, receiving an average of 970 mm of rain per year. Much of the precipitation tends to fall in heavy, sudden storms. Nelson focuses on small-scale production. Sub-regions include Moutere Hills and Waimea Plains. Makes Sauvignon blanc and Pinot noir.
Canterbury - 2 main subregions - 90 per cent of the region’s vineyards are located in the north of the region in North Canterbury, which includes the smaller sub-regions of Waipara Valley and Waikari. Canterbury Plains has a small number of vineyards around the town of Christchurch and on the Banks Peninsula.
Central Otago - one of the most southerly wine growing regions in the world at 46 ̊S, Central Otago is surrounded by the Southern Alps, making it the only region with a semi continental climate in New Zealand. Pinot Noir dominates Central Otago, accounting for 70 per cent of the region’s plantings and one-quarter of all New Zealand’s Pinot Noir plantings
Wine Law and Regulations
Wine Business
In 1981, there were only 5,000 hectares of vineyards and an export market of 6,000 hL. However, since then, driven by the success in overseas markets of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the industry has grown to 38,000 hectares with exports of 2.7 million hL in 2019.
