D3 New Zealand Flashcards
When was the first vines planted?
1819 - Samuel Marsden
What happened with production from the 80’s till today?
Production exploded, as SB was established as a grape suited for the international market, and the promotion began and took speed.
In 2018 SB represented over 2/3 of all vines planted
Describe the key-features of the climate in NZ
Cool to moderate, maritime, with adequate annually rainfall, and a high amount of sunhours. UV-radiation is high. Due to the big difference in latitude, the northern island is significantly warmer than the southern island
Describe the key-features of the soil in NZ, and the irrigation-situtation
Generally fertile and free-draining, resulting in the need of irrigation, despite the adequate amount of rainfall
Describe the topography in NZ - northern island vs southern island
Northern island and northern part of southern island is generally plain, which allows for mechanisation. The central and southern part of the southern island has more altitude-plantings, and are generally cooler.
What are the general hazards?
Fungal disease, in the warmer and more humid northern island. Birds in general, as there are few natural predators. Hefty winds, as the island is exposed to the ocean. Sunburn, do to the high UV-radiation.
What kind of trellising is seen?
Double guyot is norm, Scott Henry is seen somewhere, to enhance yields. Generally vines are trained high, to avoid the heat gathered by the ground. Trellising for machine-harvest is generally seen
What are the top 3 most planted varieties?
Sauvignon Blanc (62%), Pinot Noir (15%), Chardonnay (8%)
What are the most typical style of Sauvignon Blanc and what viticultural and vinificational features will affect it?
Low fermentation temperatures, Stainless steel-tanks, cultured yeast to enhance fruity aromas, avoiding malolactic conversion. High acidity and super fruity aromas often related to passionfruit. Studies show, that machine-harvest is said to enhance the fruity aromas by 4-5 times, as the grapes are kept on the skins during harvest in the big tanks of the machines. The high amount of sunhours will promote the fruity aromas, and the wide diurnal range will enhance the acidity.
What are the common way of sealing and why?
90% of production is sealed with screwcap. Historically the island had massive issues with TCA, and therefore screwcap became more used, now it’s regarded as a quality-feauture of the domestic markets, and even from international markets have accepted it aswell.
Name the wine-regions on the northern island, north to south
Greater Auckland
Gisbourne
Hawkey’s Bay
Wairarapa
What are the main-features of Greater Auckland?
Once the heart of production in NZ, now urbanization has generally taken over. Kumeu Rivers still make high quality wine. Focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Quite exposed to the ocean - vineyard-sites are typically sheltered. High fungal-disease pressure. Most northern region in NZ.
What are the main-features of Gisbourne?
White wine-region, over 50% of plantings are Chardonnay. East-coast. Moderate maritime climate. Irrigation rarely needed, due to 1000 mm annually rain. Typically the first wine-region to harvest. Between 2009 and 2019 the area under vine halfed as Kiwi and apples were better priced than grapes.
What are the 2 sub-regions of Hawkey’s Bay? and what are the main-features of the region?
Gimblett Gravels
Bridge Pa
Oldest and second largest in terms of production.
Bordeaux-like climate, Gravelly alluvial soils as in medoc (retains heat), Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Syrah are principal varieties.
Generally known for high quality production.
What are the principal features of Wairarapa and what is the Wellington Wine Country?
Cool, maritime climate, large diurnal range, strong winds from the Cook strain. Frost can be an issue. Generally complex soils of both gravel, silt loam and loess. Focus on premium-wine production, of Pinot noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
Wellington Wine Country is the name given to the 3 sub-regions combined; Masterton, Gladstone and Martinborough.
