WSET Diploma New Zealand Flashcards
The majority of New Zealand’s Syrah plantings are in which region?
Hawke’s Bay
Where is Nelson wine region, what is it’s climate like and what’s made there?
North coast of South Island directly west of Marlborough
Cooler and wetter than Marlborough due to exposure to westerlies from Pacific Ocean.
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris
What is the highest quality sub region of Hawke’s Bay, what is the soil like and what does it have a high reputation for producing?
Gimblett Gravels
Well drained, heat absorbing gravel / shingle soils on the valley floor.
High reputation for producing black grapes; Merlot, Cab Sav made in a BDX style. Makes premium Syrah too.
Which giant French company currently owns and produces around 40% of New Zealand wines?
Pernod Ricard
Where is the NZ producer Mud House located?
What are 3 of their wines produced?
South Island
Waipara Riesling (Canterbury)
Central Otago Pinot Noir
Rapaura Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
Which produces the most wine - North Island or South Island?
South Island
Who was the first producer to release a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc under screw-cap?
Kim Crawford
What is New Zealand’s smallest region of production by volume?
Northland
What are the primary climate differences between New Zealand’s North and South Islands?
N. Island: warm, humid, maritime.
S. Island: cooler, more continental
What are 2 reasons that New Zealand’s wine industry was stagnant for the first half of the 20th century?
Temperance Movement and Prohibition
Strong Imports
New Zealand’s wine laws are most similar in structure to those of which of the following countries?
USA
Which French wine region is nearest to New Zealand in terms of total hectares under vine?
Burgundy
____ and ___ plantings are two of the fastest growing segments in the New Zealand wine industry.
Pinot Gris / Syrah
Where is Marlborough wine region, what is it’s climate like and what’s made there?
NE tip South Island
Wairau - Largest estuary, long sunny days. Side valleys giving aspects and altitudes.
Outstanding Pinot Noir
Sauvignon Blanc - Tropical Fruit
Awatere Valley - Drier, cooler and windier = leaner, more acidic wines.
Sauvignon Blanc - higher acidity and pronounced herbaceous character.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir too for still and sparkling.
Still Pinot Noir - Med body, fine tannins, cherry and cranberry flavours
Hawke’s Bay’s many sub-regions can roughly be categorized into 4 larger groups:
Coastal Areas
River Valleys
Hillsides
Alluvial Plains
Working North to South what are the 6 main wine regions (and 1 sub-region) of North Island?
Northland
Auckland
Waikato / Bay of Plenty
Gisbourne
Hawke’s Bay
Wairarapa (contains Martinborough)
When were the first vine plantings made in New Zealand?
When and by whom was the first wine produced?
1819, by a Christian missionary on the North Island.
Late 1830’s by James Busby, who planted a small vineyard of Spanish and French varietals on the North Island.
Name the two sub regions of Marlborough and summarise the main differences between them
Wairau - Norther section. Largest estuary, long sunny days, side valleys give aspects and altitudes, wines have more tropical fruit flavors
Awatere Valley - Southern section. Drier, cooler, windier = leaner, more acidic wines.
Where is Gisborne wine region, what is it’s climate, and what is made there?
East coast of North Island
High temperatures and rainfall plus long sunshine hours
Over half of production is Chardonnay - Ripe tropical fruit
Pinot Gris / Viognier / Gewurztraminer / Muller-Thurgau also planted
Which is the fastest growing wine region in New Zealand?
Central Otago
What are the main black and white grapes of NZ?
Sauvignon Blanc: Most planted of ALL grapes.
Pinot Noir: second-most planted.
The _____ Strait is the body of water that separates the North Island from the South Island.
Cook
What is the name of New Zealand’s southernmost wine region?
Central Otago
What percentage of New Zealand wines are exported?
75%
Poverty Bay is a significant geographical feature in which region?
Gisborne
Describe a typical NZ Pinot Noir
Vibrant fruit, fine ripe tannins, soft texture, quite hi alc
What alcohol by volume percentage would you most likely encounter on a bottle of Pinot Noir from Central Otago?
14%
What is one potential hazard of grape growing in NZ. How is it, in part, naturally mitigated?
Rain can be a problem during ripening but most soils are free draining
Waiheke Island is a sub-region of which larger New Zealand GI?
Auckland
In which New Zealand GI is the sub-region of Bannockburn located?
Central Otago
What is New Zealand’s youngest official wine region?
Central Otago