New Zealand

Question 1

Syrah grown in New Zealand’s North Island is closest in style to which other classic Syrah region?

Answer 1

The Rhône

Question 2

What influences the plain area of Canterbury?

Answer 2

Cooling breezes from the Pacific

Question 3

What is Nelson’s climate like in comparison with Marlborough’s?

Answer 3

Cooler and wetter

Question 4

Where in New Zealand is production of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah concentrated?

Answer 4

The North Island, where warmer temperatures help ripen them

Question 5

What has been New Zealand’s flagship grape since the 1990s and accounts for most production?

Answer 5

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 6

What is New Zealand’s climate in:

1) The North Island
2) The South Island

Answer 6

1) Moderate maritime

2) Cool maritime

Question 7

Which Marlborough valley produces which Sauvignon style:

1) Higher acidity, green herbaceous character
2) Tropical fruit flavours

Answer 7

1) Awatere

2) Wairau

Question 8

What protects the vineyards in the east of New Zealand’s South Island from rain and wind?

Answer 8

The Southern Alps, which run down its centre

Question 9

In what styles can Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris be made in New Zealand?

What is the most prevalent style?

Answer 9

• Dry to sweet

- Off-dry

Question 10

How is most New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc fermented?

What do some producers use as a point of difference?

Answer 10

• Protectively; in inert vessels at cool temperatures

- Oak maturation

Question 11

What are New Zealand’s 2 main soil types?

Answer 11

1) Free draining with no waterlogging

2) Overly fertile soil on the flat lands

Question 12

Where in New Zealand is Pinot Noir mostly grown?

Answer 12

Throughout the South Island, and on a few select North Island sites

Question 13

What accounts for the following in Central Otago:

1) Grape quality
2) High alcohol

Answer 13

1) Wide diurnal range

2) Intense sunlight

Question 14

What are the 5 main winegrowing regions of New Zealand’s North Island?

Answer 14

1) Auckland
2) Gisborne
3) Hawke’s Bay
4) Wairarapa
5) Martinborough

Question 15

What are the 4 main black varieties of New Zealand?

Answer 15

• Pinot Noir
• Merlot
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Syrah

Question 16

Which region of New Zealand is famous for Bordeaux-style blends and premium Syrah?

Answer 16

Hawke’s Bay

Question 17

For which variety is Martinborough famous?

Answer 17

Pinot Noir

Question 18

Which New Zealand Island produces which style of Sauvignon:

1) Tropical flavours
2) Higher acidity; gooseberry and green bell pepper

Answer 18

1) North (warmer)

2) South (cooler)

Question 19

What is the vineyard area like in Central Otago?

Answer 19

It is spread over a wide area in the foothills of the Alps, so has a range of different valleys, aspects, altitudes and soils.

Question 20

What are the 2 most planted varieties in Canterbury?

Answer 20

• Sauvignon Blanc

- Pinot Noir

Question 21

What is Central Otago’s climate?

Answer 21

Cool continental

Question 22

Where at Canterbury’s 2 main centres of viticulture?

Answer 22

1) The plain to the west of Christchurch

2) Waipara Valley

Question 23

What area of Hawke’s Bay:

• Well-drained, heat-absorbing gravel soil
• On a valley floor
• Excellent black grape varieties

Answer 23

Gimblett Gravels

Question 24

Which New Zealand vineyard area:

• Close to towns of Hastings and Napier
• On an estuary plain
• Warmest area with longest sunshine hours
• Diverse soils, aspects and altitudes

Answer 24

Hawke’s Bay

Question 25

What high-quality grape does Waipara Valley produce?

Answer 25

Riesling

Question 26

Even though summers are hot in Martinborough, how is Pinot Noir able to grow?

Answer 26

Wide diurnal range, with cool nights

Question 27

Where in New Zealand are there many large wineries processing grapes from around the country?

Answer 27

Auckland

Question 28

Which region is Waiheke Island part of?

Answer 28

Auckland

Question 29

Which New Zealand wine: - Medium to full body - Ripe - Dark plum and spice

Answer 29

Martinborough Pinot Noir

Question 30

What is the main climatic influence on Waipara Valley, Canterbury?

Answer 30

A warming north-westerly wind

Question 31

Which New Zealand variety: - High acidity - Pungent aromas - Elderflower - Passion fruit

Answer 31

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 32

What is the main variety grown in Central Otago? What would you typically expect its wines to be like?

Answer 32

Pinot Noir: gives a full body and juicy, vibrant flavours

Question 33

Which New Zealand variety: - Distinct regional styles - Vibrant fruit - Fine ripe tannins - Soft texture - High alcohol

Answer 33

Pinot Noir

Question 34

Is rainfall ever a problem in New Zealand?

Answer 34

Yes, during the ripening period

Question 35

Which 3 aromatic/semi-aromatic varieties are aided by dry autumns and cool nights in New Zealand?

Answer 35

- Riesling - Gewürztraminer - Pinot Gris

Question 36

Where is New Zealand’s major centre of grape growing? Where is the 2nd most important?

Answer 36

1) Marlborough | 2) Hawke’s Bay

Question 37

What initiative set standards for wineries to reduce their environmental impact?

Answer 37

Sustainable Winegrowing For New Zealand

Question 38

Which 3 grapes dominate in Nelson?

Answer 38

- Sauvignon Blanc - Pinot Noir - Pinot Gris

Question 39

As a generalisation, what is are the growing conditions of: 1) Wairau Valley 2) Awatere Valley

Answer 39

1) Warmth from long, sunny days (but lots of side valleys with different aspects and altitudes) 2) Dry, cool, windy

Question 40

What are Auckland’s 3 most planted varieties?

Answer 40

- Chardonnay - Merlot - Syrah

Question 41

Which 2 varieties are blended in New Zealand to create a Bordeaux style with good tannin, red fruit and cassis?

Answer 41

Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 42

What are the 4 main white varieties of New Zealand?

Answer 42

- Sauvignon Blanc - Chardonnay - Riesling - Pinot Gris

Question 43

What are the 2 adjacent estuary valleys where most of Marlborough’s vineyards are found?

Answer 43

1) Wairau Valley | 2) Awatere Valley

Question 44

Which New Zealand wine: - Medium body - Fine tannins - Cherry and cranberry

Answer 44

Marlborough Pinot Noir

Question 45

What 2 varieties are widely planted and used for still and sparkling production in Marlborough?

Answer 45

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Question 46

Which other region does Martinborough lie within?

Answer 46

Wairarapa

Question 47

What is the wettest region of New Zealand? What problem does the rain cause?

Answer 47

- Auckland | - Fungal disease

Question 48

What is New Zealand’s biggest challenge to viticulture and how do they combat it?

Answer 48

- Vine vigour | - Expert canopy management and trellising, in which they are world innovators

Question 49

1) What accounts for over half of plantings in Gisborne? | 2) What 2 other varieties also grow there?

Answer 49

1) Chardonnay | 2) Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris

Question 50

What is a big risk in spring and autumn in Central Otago?

Answer 50

Frost damage

Question 51

For what characteristic are the wines of New Zealand most noted?

Answer 51

Purity of fruit flavours

Question 52

Which New Zealand variety: - Concentrated citrus - Tropical fruits - Subtle toast and sweet spice (with new French oak)

Answer 52

Chardonnay

Question 53

What 3 factors help grapes in New Zealand ripen while retaining acidity?

Answer 53

1) Long sunshine hours 2) Cool nights from sea breezes 3) Long ripening season

Question 54

What is the climate like on the broad estuary plain of Gisborne? (3 points)

Answer 54

1) High rainfall 2) High temperatures 3) Long sunshine hours

Question 55

What are the 4 main regions of New Zealand’s South Island?

Answer 55

1) Marlborough 2) Nelson 3) Canterbury 4) Central Otago