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Wine Diploma > New Zealand: South Island > Flashcards

New Zealand: South Island Flashcards

1
Q

When were the first vines planted in Marlborough?

A

1873

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2
Q

The modern era of Marlborough’s wine industry began in ____ when the director of ____ wines ( now known as ____ estate) bought over 1,000ha to convert to vineyard land

A

1973

Montana wines (now Brancott Estate)

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3
Q

Why did Marlborough’s wine industry grow dramatically from the 1980s?

A

Favourable climate
Cheaper land
Critical acclaim

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4
Q

Describe the climate in Marlborough, including rainfall and sunshine hours.

A

Cool climate with moderately warm summers and mild winters.

Sunshine hours are long, rainfall is around 650mm

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5
Q

What factor influences rainfall in Marlborough?

Is irrigation common and why?

A

Surrounding mountain ranges mean the region is protected from much rainy weather (650mm)

Irrigation is common as soils are mostly free draining and alluvial. Aquifers are used.

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6
Q

What climatic influences mean that Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is intense in aroma and flavour?

A
  • High levels of sunshine
  • Relatively dry (decreased risk of rot)
  • Longer hang time
  • Longer growing season to develop flavours
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7
Q

Why is machine harvesting commonplace in Marlborough?

A

Flat terrain

Short contact between skin and juice promotes precursors of green pepper and passion fruit aromas

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8
Q

Where is Wairau?

Describe the climatic conditions here

A

Runs from west Marlborough along the Wairau River to the mount of Cloudy Bay in the east.

Conditions vary along the valley, but the west/ inland area has less moderating influence from the ocean, higher diurnal range, warmer days, cooler nights and higher frost risk

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9
Q

Describe the soils found in Wairau Valley

A

Former riverbed; combination of gravel, silt, sand loam and clay in varying amounts.

Soils are more fertile and the water table is higher nearer the coast: higher yields than inland

Free draining soils require more irrigation but also provide warmth needed to extend the growing season.

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10
Q

Which four grapes are commonly planted in Wairau?

A

Mostly Sauvignon Blanc

Also Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris

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11
Q

Describe the soils in Southern Valleys, Marlborough.

How does this affect which vines are grown here?

A

Soils have more clay here than the rest of Marlborough; cooling influence means grapes are picked later than elsewhere.

Pinot Noir commonly grown as needs a long season to develop pronounced aromas without developing high sugar levels

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12
Q

Where is Ataware found?

A

South of Wairau in Marlborough

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13
Q

Name the three sub zones in Marlborough

A

Wairau
Southern Valleys
Ataware

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14
Q

Where are vineyards typically planted within the Southern Valleys?

A

South of the main plain of Wairu on hillsides of the valleys

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15
Q

Why are conditions in Ataware cooler and windier than other parts of Marlborough?

How does this affect the Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc grown here?

A

Closer location to the coast and higher elevation.

Sauv B: more herbaceous and less tropical with v. high acidity.

Pinot Noir: Smaller berries, thicker skins, deeper coloured wines than Wairau

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16
Q

What quality / price is typical of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc?

What percentage of plantings here is dedicated to Sauvignon Blanc?

A

Good to very good, inexpensive to mid priced with some premium.

70%

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17
Q

Why would producers from Marlborough blend Sauvignon Blanc fruit from across the region?

A

Obtain the desired range of aromas

Acquire necessary volumes

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18
Q

Pinot Noir accounts for what percentage of plantings in Marlborough.

Describe the different styles made in the different subregions here

A

10%

WAIRAU: Light body, easy drinking, mid price

SOUTHERN VALLEYS: clay and loess slopes slow ripening giving more intense fruit. Oak. V.good to outstanding, premium

ATAWARE: Windier, cooler. Thicker skins, deeper colour, floral/ herbal. Oak. Good to outstanding.

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19
Q

What styles of Chardonnay are produced in Marlborough?

A
  • Unoaked and simple: good to v.good, mid price

- Complex, oaked, MLF, lees, struck match: outstanding premium

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20
Q

What styles of Pinot Gris are produced in Marlborough?

A
  • Good quality mid priced: simpler, less intense, fruit foward semi aromatic
  • Richer more intense, lees or oak, more complex. V.good to outstanding, premium

Both are dry through off dry

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21
Q

Where is Nelson located?

Describe the climate and any climatic influences on the region.

A

North west of the South Island

Cool maritime climate with high sunshine hours

Cooling sea breezes throughout the day

Proximity to sea: remains warm at night

22
Q

What is the average rainfall in Nelson?

23
Q

Is Nelson more set up for large or small scale production?

A

Small scale

24
Q

Where is Moutere Hills?

A

North west of the town of Nelson, in Nelson

25
Q

Name the two smaller areas within Nelson

How do wines from these two compare?

A

Moutere Hills - wines from here are fuller bodied and higher quality

Waimea Plains - lighter, fresher wines

26
Q

Describe the topography and soils in Moutere Hills, Nelson.

A

TOPGRAPHY:
Undulating, but low altitude (up to 150m)

SOILS:
Clay based gravel with sandy loam top; retain water for dry farming

27
Q

Describe the soils found in Waimea Plains

A

Alluvial soils with silt and clay loams: moderately fertile

V. free draining and require irrigation

28
Q

How does Sauvignon Blanc from Nelson compare with that of Marlborough?

A

Nelson is more restrained than Marlborough

Some producers may add complexity with lees ageing or oak

29
Q

Describe how Pinot Noir from Waimea Plains and Moutere Hills in Nelson might differ.

A

WAIMEA:
Lighter bodier, little or no oak, good to v. good.

MOUTERE HILLS:
Full bodied, firm tannins, expressive fruit. Premium, outstanding

30
Q

Name the six most planted grape varieties in Nelson.

A

Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir - REMEMBER THESE TWO!

Chardonnay
Pinot Gris
Riesling
Gewurztraminer

31
Q

Describe the climate in North Canterbury.

Include any warming or cooling influences

A

Cool maritime climate with long sunshine hours and warm summer days with cool nights

Warming influence from the dry, north easterly winds

32
Q

What effects do winds have on North Canterbury? (5)

A
  • Warming influence
  • Increase evapotranspiration (low rainfall - irrigate)
  • Lowers disease pressure
  • Strong winds can damage the green parts of the vine
  • Increases potential hang time
33
Q

What is the rainfall in North Canterbury?

What is the main factor affecting this?

A

Low - 650mm

The Southern Alps act as a rain shadow, protecting the region from the worst of the rains

34
Q

What factors make irrigation necessary in North Canterbury?

A
  • Low rainfall

- High winds: high rate of evapotranspiration

35
Q

_____ _____ is slightly warmer than the rest of the North Canterbury Region: the ____ _____ protect it from _____ _____ _____.

A

Waipara Valley is slightly warmer

The Teviotdale Hills protect it from cold easterly winds

36
Q

Describe the soils and resulting wines from the following areas in Waipara:

FLAT VALLEY FLOOR

SOUTH / SOUTH WEST FACING SLOPES

A

FLAT VALLEY FLOOR

Gravelly sandy loams
Light, less intense wines

SOUTH / SOUTH WEST FACING SLOPES
Clay loams and limestone
Fruitier, more intense wines

37
Q

Describe the topography and soils in Waikari, North Canterbury.

A

Inland hills

Clay limestone soils

38
Q

Waikari and Waipara have received critical acclaim for which grape?

Give a typical tasting note.

A

Pinot Noir - v. good to outstanding

Pronounced intensity
Ripely fruited
High acidity
Range from light to full bodied

39
Q

In which sub region of North Canerbury would you find very good to outstanding premium Riesling?

What styles are produced?

A

Waipara Valley

Dry to sweet (late harvest)

40
Q

Central Otago is one of the most southerly latitude wine regions in the world - what latitude is it at?

A

46 degrees south

41
Q

Describe the climate in Central Otago.

A

Semi continental

Warm, dry summers, long daylight hours and high UV levels

42
Q

What is the rainfall in Central Otago?

What factor influences this?

What affect does this have on the region’s farming practices?

A

Low - 360mm per annum

The region is protected by mountains from rain-bearing winds

The region is very dry; irrigation is needed, but disease pressure is low and there is a higher proportion of organic and biodynamic farming

43
Q

What factors give rise to high diurnal range in Central Otago?

A
  • Vineyards are over 300m
  • Semi continental climate: hot days and cold nights
  • Shelter from maritime influence
44
Q

What climatic threats are there in the region?

What can be done to mitigate these threats?

A

SPRING FROST
- Use helicopters to mix colder and warmer air

SUN BURN
- Use canopy management to shade grapes on the west side

45
Q

Describe the soils in Central Otago - what viticultural practices are used to improve these?

A

Soils are schist derived and range from gravel to clay

They are low in organic matter and therefore cover crops can improve structure and nutrient levels.

46
Q

Name the six subregions of Central Otago

A 
Alexandra
Gibbston
Bannockburn
Cromwell
Bendigo
Wanaka
47
Q

Which is the most southerly subregion of Central Otago?

Describe the climatic conditions here.

A

Alexandra

  • Hot summers
  • Cool nights moderate heat
  • Marked diurnal range
48
Q

Which is the highest and coolest subregion of Central Otago?

Describe the growing conditions.

A

Gibbston (320 to 420m)

  • North facing slopes
  • Grapes ripen later: fresh flavours and high acidity
  • Site selection can enhance fruit ripening and reduce autumn frost risk
49
Q

Describe growing conditions in Bannockburn

A
  • Lower altitude plantings
  • Intensively planted
  • Warm and dry
  • Range of soils
  • Ripe concentrated wines
50
Q

Which is the warmest Central Otago sub region?

Describe the growing conditions that contribute to this.

A

Bendigo

  • Plantings on gentle north facing slopes
  • Semi arid, poor, free draining soils
51
Q

Name the smallest, most northerly Central Otago subregion

What is the altitude here?

What is a moderating factor on the temperature?

A

Wanaka

290m - cooler than Bannockburn, Cromwell and Bendigo

Lake Wanaka moderates temperature extremes

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