Week 1b: New Zealand Flashcards by Matt Reid

Global production percentage of New Zealand:

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Major regions of the North Island:

Auckland
Gisborne
Hawke’s Bay
Wairapa (Marlborough)

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Major regions of the South Island:

Nelson
Marlborough
Canterbury
Central Otago

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New Zealand climate:

Cool maritime with very long sunshine hours

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Impact of plenty of sunshine in NZ:

Vivid fruit profiles

Cooling sea influence and low nighttime temperatures ensures retain acidity and freshness

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When did wine industry develop in NZ:

1970’s

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New Zealand’s most planted grapes:

Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Noir

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New Zealand latitude:

35-45 degrees south

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Which island in NZ is cooler: south or north?

South

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Most southerly location in NZ?

Central Otago

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Is Central Otago the most southerly vineyard?

No - some places in Chile and Argentina are farther south but not commercially viable

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Is there a lot of manual labour in New Zealand?

No. Machine harvest is essential.

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What does machine harvest do?

Machines lop of excess shoots, which increases passionfruit aromas.

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What is integral to NZ’s wine industry success?

Sustainability

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Sustainability foci of NZ winegrowers:

Climate change
Water
Waste
Soil
Pest and Disease
People

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When did NZ establish a nationwide sustainability program?

1997

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Second largest wine region in New Zealand:

Hawke’s Bay

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Important geographical feature of Hawke’s Bay: what is the impact?

Ocean tempers hot summer days and extends growing season

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Hawke’s Bay has an extended growing season. What grapes can ripen successfully as a result?

Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot

Syrah

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Hawke’s Bay varieties:

Gimblett Gravels:
Merlot (981ha)
CS (193)
Syrah (339)

Central Hawke’s Bay:
Sauvignon Blanc (1,311)
Sauvignon Gris
Chardonnay (1,084)
Pinot Noir

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Most famed red varietals of Hawke’s Bay:

CS / Merlot

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Hawke’s Bay growing hazards:

Spring frost in inland areas
Cool, wet weather in growing seasons

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Hawke’s Bay moderating factors:

Surrounding high country protects from winds

Free draining soils

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Secondary grapes of Hawke’s Bay:

Syrah
Pinot Gris

CS is small by blended with Merlot

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Most famous sub zone of Hawke's Bay:

Gimblett's Gravels Officially created in 2011

Grapes of Gimblett Gravels. Ageable?

CS / Merlot blends Delicious on release but can age

Gimblett Gravel soils:

Free-draining alluvial and benign climate = thicker skinned reds

Hawke's Bay: diverse?

Yes

List 3 Hawke's Bay subregions:

Gimblett Gravels Coastal Regions Havelock North Hills (free-draining, north facing) Central Hawke's Bay (300m inland) Bridge Pa Triangle

What sub-region is found in the Wairapa Region?

Martinborough

Wairapa (Martinborough) major grapes:

Pinot Noir (527ha) Sauvignon Blanc (394) Chardonnay (62) Pinot Gris (47)

Wairapa PN style similar to:

Central Otago

Wairapa Sauvignon Blanc style similar to:

Marlborough

Wairapa Chardonnay style similar to:

Hawke's Bay

Which New Zealand region is the sunniest and dryest?

Marlborough

What contributes to Marlborough's fruit intensity, strong varietal expression and high acid levels?

Plenty of sunshine Moderate temps Strong diurnal variation

What impact does plenty of sunshine, moderate temperatures and strong diurnal variation on Marlborough wines?

Fruit intensity Strong varietal expression High acid levels

What moderates Marlborough's temperature:

Proximity to coast Mountain ranges Long dry summers allow a range of styles

Marlborough major grapes:

SB PN / PG Char

Largest wine region in NZ

Marlborough: 66% of national total

Marlborough sub-regions:

Wairau Valley Southern Valleys Aware Valley

Wairau Valley soils and climate:

Alluvial soils Diverse aspects Varying degrees of rainfall

Wairau Valley: diverse sites?

Yes Cooler, drier inland Barren, stony, early ripening sites Moderated coastal sites

Wairau Valley major grape:

Sauvignon Blanc: highly aromatic but pure

Marlborough: Southern Valley soils:

Heavier with more clay than Wairau Cooler and drier further south in valleys

Marlborough: Southern Valley grape

Pinot Noir: more concentrated and textured

Marlborough Awatere Valley climate:

Cooler, drier and windier

Marlborough Awatere Valley wines:

Cooler in character Crisp aromas Herbaceousness minerality

World's most southerly commercially viable wine region:

Central Otago

Central Otago climate:

Cool continental Dry Extreme variation between summer and winter temperatures

How much wine does Central Otago produce?

Third largest wine region in NZ

Flagship variety of Central Otago:

Pinot Noir (80% of vineyards)

Central Otago Pinot Noirs: all the same?

No. Six subregions, all producing a distinct style

Secondary grapes of Central Otago:

Pinot Gris Riesling Chardonnay

Are Central Otago grapes planted on their own rootstock?

Yes

Style of wine made in Central Otago, despite cold temps:

Phenolically ripe 14% abv

Is the weather extreme in Central Otago?

Yes Coldest winter at -22 and hottest summer at 38.7

Central Otago diverse climates?

Yes - distinct mountainous terrains so each subregion has its own climate, aspect and altitude

Does Central Otago have a wide diurnal shift?

Yes

Although Central Otago soils can vary, what do they all have in common?

Stony, free-draining base

6 subregions in Central Otago:

1. Gibbston 2. Bannockburn 3. Cromwell 4. Bendigo 5. Wanaka 6. Alexandra

Two notable subregions in Central Otago:

Bannockburn Bendigo

Bannockburn traits:

One of the warmest, driest sites in Central Otago Distinctive, rich fruit and complex wine

Bendigo in Central Otago traits

One of the warmest; vines planted on north slopes and Warm days, cool nights Deep fruit, powerful, firm tannin

NZ location in relationship to Australia: | CMS

4,100km south

South Island temperature:

Cool

Marlborough climate:

Cool maritime with protection

Central Otago climate:

Cool continental

North Island climate:

Warmer and more humid than South Island

Hawke's Bay climate:

Moderate maritime

Gisbourne climate (compared to the rest of the world)

Cool maritime

Wairapa climate:

Cool maritime

NZ mountain range giving rainshadow to Central Otago:

Southern Alps

NZ appellation law:

Geographical indication (GI) Trademark only with no minimums, no rules

Subregions of Marlborough GI

Awatere Valley Wairau Valley

Marlborough GI labelling oddity:

Requires 100% fruit from region

NZ winemaking:

Clean, modern Use of screwcaps

NZ white grapes:

SB, Char PG, Gewürz, Riesling

NZ red grapes:

PN, CS, Syrah, Merlot

NZ white wine style:

Typically unoaked High flavour intensity High natural acidty

NZ red wine style:

Lightly oaked

NZ producers:

Cloudy Bay Felton Road Villa Maria

NZ vintages as compared to the Northern Hemisphere: ahead or behind?

Recent vintages 6 months ahead of Northern Hemisphere