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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
Name the two smaller areas within Nelson How do wines from these two compare?
Moutere Hills - wines from here are fuller bodied and higher quality Waimea Plains - lighter, fresher wines
26
Describe the topography and soils in Moutere Hills, Nelson.
TOPGRAPHY: Undulating, but low altitude (up to 150m) SOILS: Clay based gravel with sandy loam top; retain water for dry farming
27
Describe the soils found in Waimea Plains
Alluvial soils with silt and clay loams: moderately fertile V. free draining and require irrigation
28
How does Sauvignon Blanc from Nelson compare with that of Marlborough?
Nelson is more restrained than Marlborough Some producers may add complexity with lees ageing or oak
29
Describe how Pinot Noir from Waimea Plains and Moutere Hills in Nelson might differ.
WAIMEA: Lighter bodier, little or no oak, good to v. good. MOUTERE HILLS: Full bodied, firm tannins, expressive fruit. Premium, outstanding
30
Name the six most planted grape varieties in Nelson.
Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Noir - REMEMBER THESE TWO! Chardonnay Pinot Gris Riesling Gewurztraminer
31
Describe the climate in North Canterbury. Include any warming or cooling influences
Cool maritime climate with long sunshine hours and warm summer days with cool nights Warming influence from the dry, north easterly winds
32
What effects do winds have on North Canterbury? (5)
- 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
What is the rainfall in North Canterbury? What is the main factor affecting this?
Low - 650mm The Southern Alps act as a rain shadow, protecting the region from the worst of the rains
34
What factors make irrigation necessary in North Canterbury?
- Low rainfall | - High winds: high rate of evapotranspiration
35
_____ _____ is slightly warmer than the rest of the North Canterbury Region: the ____ _____ protect it from _____ _____ _____.
Waipara Valley is slightly warmer The Teviotdale Hills protect it from cold easterly winds
36
Describe the soils and resulting wines from the following areas in Waipara: FLAT VALLEY FLOOR SOUTH / SOUTH WEST FACING SLOPES
FLAT VALLEY FLOOR Gravelly sandy loams Light, less intense wines SOUTH / SOUTH WEST FACING SLOPES Clay loams and limestone Fruitier, more intense wines
37
Describe the topography and soils in Waikari, North Canterbury.
Inland hills Clay limestone soils
38
Waikari and Waipara have received critical acclaim for which grape? Give a typical tasting note.
Pinot Noir - v. good to outstanding Pronounced intensity Ripely fruited High acidity Range from light to full bodied
39
In which sub region of North Canerbury would you find very good to outstanding premium Riesling? What styles are produced?
Waipara Valley Dry to sweet (late harvest)
40
Central Otago is one of the most southerly latitude wine regions in the world - what latitude is it at?
46 degrees south
41
Describe the climate in Central Otago.
Semi continental Warm, dry summers, long daylight hours and high UV levels
42
What is the rainfall in Central Otago? What factor influences this? What affect does this have on the region's farming practices?
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
What factors give rise to high diurnal range in Central Otago?
- Vineyards are over 300m - Semi continental climate: hot days and cold nights - Shelter from maritime influence
44
What climatic threats are there in the region? What can be done to mitigate these threats?
SPRING FROST - Use helicopters to mix colder and warmer air SUN BURN - Use canopy management to shade grapes on the west side
45
Describe the soils in Central Otago - what viticultural practices are used to improve these?
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
Name the six subregions of Central Otago
``` Alexandra Gibbston Bannockburn Cromwell Bendigo Wanaka ```
47
Which is the most southerly subregion of Central Otago? Describe the climatic conditions here.
Alexandra - Hot summers - Cool nights moderate heat - Marked diurnal range
48
Which is the highest and coolest subregion of Central Otago? Describe the growing conditions.
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
Describe growing conditions in Bannockburn
- Lower altitude plantings - Intensively planted - Warm and dry - Range of soils - Ripe concentrated wines
50
Which is the warmest Central Otago sub region? Describe the growing conditions that contribute to this.
Bendigo - Plantings on gentle north facing slopes - Semi arid, poor, free draining soils
51
Name the smallest, most northerly Central Otago subregion What is the altitude here? What is a moderating factor on the temperature?
Wanaka 290m - cooler than Bannockburn, Cromwell and Bendigo Lake Wanaka moderates temperature extremes

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