NZ Regions Flashcards
North Island GIs Overview
- Northland
- Auckland
- Bay Of Plenty/Waikato
- Gisborne (Poverty Bay)
- Hawke’s Bay
- Wairarapa
South Island GIs Overview
- Nelson
- Marlborough
- Canterbury
- Central Ottago
Northland Overview
- northernmost area of production
- less than 1% of production, few wineries
Bay Of Plenty Overview
-large area on North Island but less than 1% production
Auckland Climate
-warm, rainy, humid and maritime
Auckland Grapes/Style/info
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah most planted
- Bordeaux Style blends common
- only 2% NZ production
Gisborne Climate
-Cool maritime [reds struggle to ripen]
Gisborne Grapes
- Chardonnay
- Muller Thurgau
- Gewürztraminer
Hawke’s Bay Climate
- moderate maritime
- Warmest/driest of North Island
- long sunshine hours
Hawke’s Bay Grapes
Whites
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chardonnay
Reds [NZ’s largest producer of reds]
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pinot Noir
- Cabernet Franc
Hawke’s Bay Subregions
Gimblett Gravels
Gimblett Gravels Soils/Grapes
- heat absorbing gravel soils [deep shingle soils]
- great Syrah and Bordeaux blends
Wairarapa Grapes
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Noir [especially Martinborough]
Nelson Climate
- northernmost region on South Island
- sunniest region in NZ [also rainiest somehow!]
Nelson Grapes
- Chardonnay,
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Noir
- Riesling
Marlborough Climate
- cool, dry, sunny
- southern alps create rainshadow protecting from winds to west from Tasmanian sea
Marlborough Grapes
White
- Sauvignon Blanc [80% of plantings]
- Pinot Gris
- Riesling
Red
-Pinot Noir
Marlborough Vinification
- Marlborough produces over half countries wine
- great Sparklers also made from Champagne varietals
Marlborough Viticulture
- plentiful sunshine hours
- long growing season w/ cool nights = retained acidity
- irrigation widespread
Marlborough Soils
-typically sandy alluvial loam
Marlborough Sub-Areas
Wairu and Awatere Valleys
NZ Producers
Cloudy Bay [Marlborough] Kim Crawford [Marlborough, Screwcap First!] Nobilo [Marlborough] Brancotts [Marlborough] Mt. Difficulty [Central O] Akiko [Central O]
Canterbury Overview/Grapes
- fastest growing region
- pinot noir, riesling, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc
Canterbury Sub-regions
Waipara Valley [Peagasus is here]
Central Otago Location
-home to worlds most southernly vineyards [some below 45°]
Central Otago Climate/Topography
- cool continental
- low humidity
- highest altitude vineyards in NZ
- north facing slopes to maximize sunshine
