New Zealand_revised-Apr-2013 Flashcards
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Romeo Bragato
Austrian viticulturalist from Victoria
At beginning of 20th century:
Identified most of New Zealand’s modern wine regions
Educated growers on vine-grafting to combat phylloxera
Albany Surprise
New Zealand’s most planted grape varietal in 1960s
Hybrid
Montana
New Zealand’s largest winemaking company
Established Marlborough’s first commercial vineyard
Released country’s first varietal wine
Produced one of first Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs
Character of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc
Intense aroma Passion fruit Jalapeño Ripe grapefruit Grass
Grapes of New Zealand
In diminishing order of acreage: Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Noir Chardonnay Pinot Gris Merlot Riesling Cabernet Sauvignon Gewürztraminer
New Zealand
Land & Climate
World’s easternmost and southernmost winemaking country
Maritime climate
2 islands: North & South
New Zealand Viticulture
Most vineyards on flat land within 20 miles of eastern coast
Mechanical harvesting common
Little land, so no bulk market
New Zealand Winegrowers
Organization formed in 2002 to which all New Zealand producers and growers belong
Promotes and presents unified face for New Zealand wine
Will greatly influence New Zealand’s emerging appellation system
Screwcap Initiative
Formed in 2001
An international association committed to using screwcaps even on ultra-premium bottlings
New Zealand Labelling Laws
Declaration of vintage & varietal is optional
85% minimum of stated varietal and/or vintage
No legal recognition of wine regions, but will likely adopt 85% minimum
Regions of New Zealand’s North Island
From N to S: Northland Auckland Waikato Bay of Plenty Gisbourne Hawkes Bay Wellington (Wairapa)
Regions of New Zealand’s South Island
From N to S: Nelson Marlborough Canterbury Otago (Central Otago)
Northland
Location: Northern tip of New Zealand’s North Island
Production: <1% of NZ wine
Waikato
Location: New Zealand’s North Island south of Auckland, west of Bay of Plenty
Production: <1% of NZ wine
Bay of Plenty
Location: New Zealand’s North Island east of Waikato
Production: with Waikato, produces <1% of NZ wine
Gisborne
Location: New Zealand’s North Island east of Bay of Plenty
Auckland
Location: New Zealand’s North Island between Northland and Waikato
Producers: Constellation NZ, Babich, Pernod Ricard NZ, Villa Maria
Notes: named for NZ’s largest city, produces s wine
Hawke’s Bay
Location: New Zealand’s North Island south of Bay of Plenty & Gisborne
Gimblett Gravels
Subregion of Hawke’s Bay in the Hastings area
Deep shingle soils
Trademarked brand of winegrowers association
Gaining in reputation for Syrah and Bordeaux blends
Wairarapa
Subregion of and covering most of Wellington region on southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island
Location: east of Taraua Range
Notes: Gravely subsoils of Martinborough great for Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Noir
Martinborough
Subregion of Wairarapa on NZ’s North Island
More than 50% planted to Pinot Noir-Vies with Central Otago for NZ’s best
Nelson
Location: Northwest tip of New Zealand’s South Island
Notes: smallest South Island region, sunniest and rainiest
Marlborough
Location: Northeast tip of New Zealand’s South Island
Notes: produces over half of NZ’s wine, nearly 10K hectares of Sauvignon Blanc, Montana controls nearly 2/3 of land through subsidiaries like Brancott, traditional method sparklers are high quality and widespread
Canterbury
Location: south of Marlborough down eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island
Notes: NZ’s fastest growing region due to output of Waipara
North Island (NZ)
Same latitude as Tasmania, but 1200 miles away
Warmer, less mountainous, rainier
6 regions
Otago
Location: toward southernmost part of New Zealand’s South Island
Notes: world’s southernmost wine region, NZ’s highest elevation, only true Continental Climate, significant diurnal swings, plantings on northern slopes for sun exposure
South Island (NZ)
Larger than North Island
Southern Alps form spine and creat rain shadow effect for wine regions
Southernmost wine region in world (Central Otago) on 45th parallel
Long hours of sunshine and cool evening temperatures
Waikato Subregions
2
Hamilton
Te Kauwhata
Auckland Subregions
9 Matakana Mahurangi Kumeo Huapai Oratia Clevedon Henderson Waiheke Island** Great Barrier Island
Hawke’s Bay Subregions
11 Esk Valley** Dartmoor Valley** Moteo Gimblett Gravels** Havelock North The Triangle** Te Awanga Mangatahi Crownthorpe Waipukurau Takapau
Gimblett Gravels labeling rules
Be a member of the GG Winegrowers Assoc.
Harvest grapes from a vineyard with 95% of soil characteristics
Source 95% of grapes from within appellation
Wairarapa Subregions
6 Martinborough Masterton East Taratahi (Dakins Road) Wairarapa Valley Te Muna Road Gladstone
Marlborough Subregions
7 Awatere Valley** Blenheim Kaituna Koromiko Waihopai Valley Wairau Valley** Woodbourne
Canterbury Subregions
5 Banks Peninsula Christchurch Omihi Waipara** Weka Pass
Otago Subregions
9-Central Otago Alexandra** Bannockburn Bendigo Cromwell Basin** Dunstan Ettrick Gibbston** Lake Hayes Wanaka** 1-coastal North Otago: Waitaki Valley
