New Zealand : The Growing Environment and Grape Growing Flashcards
New Zealand: Climate
- cool, maritime - generally - exception is Central Otago which is surrounded by mountains and has a semi-continental climate - Cook Strait seperates the islands - in the South Pacific Ocean
36-46 degrees S
North island - Auckland and Gisborne are moderate maritime
South island -cooler climate
Mountains ( The SOuthern Alps) run the length of the South island an protect vines from excessive winds and rains
Marlbrough still gets 600mm of rain
High diurnal helps preserve acidity
High sunshine hours and UV radiation ( 40% higher than similar latitude in the Northern hempisphere) and large diurnal range are significant aspects
Hole in the ozone and low levels of pollution create a high UV - helps to develp colour and tannins in black grapes
Also extends the growing period allowing grapes to ripen in cooler sites
New Zealand : Vineyard Management
- high rainfall, high UV, sunshine hrs over 2,000 / year , fertile soils = canopy management is essential for high quality
-excessive growth causes shading and reduction of yield and quallity
Fungal disease and is a problem in the North Island ( warmer )
-Vines are trellised VSP with two canes - some large volume prdcuers will have 4 canes or use Scott Henry - but in cool temps , ripening can be an issue
-train vines so that the heoght of the fruting zone is higher
High UV means they do not need refection from the ground to ripen -/ also makes harvesting easier
Low densities is common - 2,000-2,500 vines per ha - overall yield is also high avg. 92h/L
Flat lands make machine harvest common
Birds can cause substantial damage - netting of vines to protect the fruit - adding to cost / bird scarers also common
Irrigation: some areas have high fast draining soils , alluvial, and strong winds cause evapotranspiration
Windbreak trees may be planted but can attract birds
Leaf position is critical to prevent sunburn ( high UV )
South PAcific tropical stroms can stop fruit set and reduce yields / quality
Almost all growers are part of the Sustainable WineGrowing NZ inititative - independant audited certification programme : environmental, social and economic issues
Organic viticulture is growing at 10%
More common in Central Otago ( small scale)
Biodynamic is also being embraced
