What are the least + most volume production regions of NZ?
Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Marlborough GI
Name the GI’s of the North Island, North to South:
Northland, Auckland, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa (incorrect if Waikato/Bay of Plenty mentioned because it is not a GI!)
What is Montana (New Zealand) and why is it significant?
Montana now under Pernod Ricard NZ. NZ’s largest winemaking company, established Marlborough’s first commercial vineyard, released the country’s first varietal wine (Gisborne CH), controls 2/3’s of Marlborough’s vineyards, 1988 partnership with Deutz Champagne.
Who makes Coddington and Huntinghill Chardonnay?
Kumeu River, located in Auckland
Where would you find Villa Maria Estates?
Villa Maria Estate is one of New Zealand’s largest wine companies. Their vineyards are located throughout New Zealand, with headquarters in Auckland.
What NZ region has gained a reputation for sparkling wine? What kind? Name 2 producers.
Marlborough, traditional method (mostly SB), Kim Crawford + Hillerson (charmat)
What is Greywacke? Name 4 countries where Greywacke is found.
Sandstone combined with mudstone/clay.
South Africa’s Western Cape, Russian River Valley, Mosel/Ahr/Mittelrhein, Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough and Waipara
What NZ wine region is planted with predominantly white grapes?
Gisborne GI on north island of New Zealand
What are Wairarapa’s 2 official GIs?
Martinborough and Gladstone
What is Wairarapa known for?
PN, SB, PG. Martinborough + Gladstone GIs.
The Gimblett Gravels signature soil was revealed when which river changed its course in 1867?
Ngaruroro River
Where is the Ngaruroro River and why is it important?
The Ngaruroro River runs through Hawkes Bay NZ and the Gimblett Gravels wine growing district is strictly determined by the gravelly soils laid down by the old Ngaruroro River, which were exposed after a huge flood in the 1860’s.
Where are Wairau Valley, Southern Valleys, and Awatere Valley?
Marlborugh GI, they are unofficial subzones
Where is Waiheke Island?
Auckland
Where is Waipara Valley?
GI subregion of Canterbury GI on NZ south island, the majority of vineyards.
Is Gimblett Gravels a GI?
No, Gimblett Gravels is an unofficial subregion in Hawke’s Bay, and a trademarked brand
Name the GI’s of the South Island North to South:
Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Waitaki North Otago, Central Otago.
Marlborough climate:
Brisk Maritime climate refreshed by Antarctic SE winds, long sunshine hours, free-draining soils.
Where is Bannockburn located?
Central Otago
Almost all of NZ is a maritime climate with the exception of one GI. What is it and how does the climate differ?
Central Otago, it is a truly continental climate instead. It experiences greater temperature extremes, and diurnal swings. The Southern Alps protect the region, making for a rain-shadow effect. Frost can be a major risk. Vineyards planted on hillsides.
What is the northern + southern most production regions in NZ?
Northland GI, Central Otago GI
How would you describe NZ SB, when did it become so popular?
Utterly upfront style: piercing acidity, pungent, highly intense aromas of passion fruit, jalapeno, ripe grapefruit and grass. Cloudy Bay main winery to put it on the map: 1985, became an international sensation. Now over 70% of the country’s vineyards are in Marlborough, over half the country’s acreage now planted with SB.
How does the climate of the North Island compare to South?
North island is less mountainous, generally much rainier. Humidity an issue, soils too fertile.
Why is Marlborough considered such a good growing region?
Brisk Maritime climate refreshed by Antarctic SE winds, long sunshine hours, free-draining soils.
Where is the Wairau Valley?
Unofficial subregion of Marlborough, first to be planted.
Where are Neudorf Vineyards?
Neudorf Vineyards are located in Nelson in NZ. Known for their non-interventionalist style, organic farming, and most well known for their PN and CH.
What % of stated variety/vintage is required for NZ labeling?
85%, in line with EU
What is Albany Surprise?
a hybrid grape that was previously the most planted grape in NZ, as recently as the 1960s.
Where are the Richmond Ranges?
The Richmond Ranges are a mountain range that separate Nelson from Marlborough.
What is the North Islands Gisborne GI known for?
Mostly whites: CH, PG, GW, Viognier. Used to be Muller Thurgau. Fun Fact! Gisborne’s vineyards are the first in the world to see the sun each day.
Why is NZ wine generally more expensive?
NZ has very little land to spare so modern bulk wine production is not feasible. So most producers are boutique and focus on higher price points in global wine market.
Name 3 producers of Central Otago PN:
Mt. Difficulty, Burn Cottage, Felton Road
What is the mountain range that divides the south island?
Southern Alps
Where are the Moutere Hills?
Nelson
What are Auckland’s 3 subregions?
Matakana, Waiheke Island, Kumeu
Hawkes Bay has a range of altitudes + diverse soil types. Name 3:
Greywacke Gravel, heavy silt, sandy loam
Name the subregion of Wairarapa where PN and SB are particularly successful:
Martinborough
Other wines NZ is becoming known for/from where:
Central Otago PN, Gimblett Gravels Syrah, Nelson’s Riesling, Pinot Gris from south island areas, Waiheke Island’s syrah + BDX blends
What are the major Geographic features of NZ?
Maritime climate influenced by surrounding Tasman Sea and South Pacific Ocean. The Southern Alps mountain range divides the south island and acts as a rain shadow. The Roaring Forties are strong westerly winds that blast over south island and south part of North Island, but the Alps plus the several ranges on the eastern coasts. The Cook Strait acts as a wind tunnel.
Can you name two producers from each of the following GIs: Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Central Otago?
Neudorf and Siefried in Nelson, Dog Point and Cloudy Bay in Marlborough, Bell Hill and Pyramid Valley in Canterbury, and Mt. Difficulty and Fenton Road in Central Otago.
Where would you find Wanaka, Gibbston, Alexandra, and Cromwell Basin?
Central Otago’s best known but unofficial subregions.
Where are Bridge Pa and Esk Valley?
Bridge Pa and Esk Valley and Dartmoor Valley are unofficial subregions in Hawke’s Bay, NZ.
Where is the Cook Strait?
Strait that separates the North and South islands of New Zealand. Connects the Tasman Sea and South Pacific ocean. Fun fact! Considered to be one of the most dangerous and unpredictable waters in the world.
How would you describe the classic style of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc?
utterly upfront, racy and pungent; highly intense aromas of passion fruit, jalapeño, ripe grapefruit, and grass
How would you describe Central Otago PN?
More muscular style, intense, dense, concentrated.
Why are most Central Otago vineyards planted on hillsides?
More continental climate, extreme diumal swings means frost is a risk, so growers plant into the hillsides angled towards the sun, to reduce the risk of frost damage by keeping cold air on the move. Those on flatter sites for employ frost protection measures such as wind machines and sprinklers.
Where/what is Moutere?
Upper Moutere is an unofficial subregion in Nelson GI on New Zealand’s south island. Made famous particularly by Neudorf producer.
What is the driest region of NZ North Island? Wine Styles? Name 2 producers.
Hawkes Bay is the driest, and thus one of the most important red wine regions, the leading producer. Mostly known for BDX-blends and Syrah. Some CH. Producers are Craggy Range, Trinity Hill
What is Gimblett Gravels?
An unofficial but famous subregion of Hawkes Bay– north island of NZ. Unofficial but already appears on a number of labels. The Gimblett Gravels Wine Growing District is “strictly determined” by the shingle gravelly soils laid down by the old Ngaruroro River. Has established itself as source for premium Syrah + BDX blends.
What are the requirements for a producer to use “Gimblett Gravels” or “Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District” on a label?
the producer must be a member of the association, the fruit has to come from a vineyard with at least 95% defined soil characteristics, at least 95% of the fruit must be sourced from the appellation.
What wine region’s vines are the first to see the sun each day?
Gisborne GI on north island of New Zealand
Where are Kumeu, Waiheke Island, and Matakana?
Sub-regions in AUCKLAND on north island in NZ, highly regarded (all official GIs now). Mostly CH + BDX varieties: ME,CS,CF.
Requirements for Gimblett Gravels wine growing District labeling:
The producer must be a member, source 95% of grapes within appellation, harvest grapes from vineyard with 95% of appellation defined soil characteristics.
Is mechanical harvesting common in NZ?
Yes, consistent source of cheap manual labor is difficult to come by.
What is the highest altitude region in NZ?
Central Otago
Where is Banks Peninsula?
Canterbury, South Island, NZ
What was James Busby’s contribution to NZ wine?
James Busby was the first to plant vines in New Zealand. Busby was also involved in early viticultural efforts in New South Wales, and planted his vineyard from French and Spanish cuttings at his estate in Northland.
Auckland lies between what two bodies of water?
Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean
What was the “6 o’clock swill?”
“Six o’clock swill” was an early closing hour for pubs instituted in both Australia and New Zealand during World War I, but lasted until 1967 in New Zealand. The early closing time of six o’clock was a move by anti-alcohol forces “to return men to their wives at a respectable hour” and those in the alcohol business capitulated, preferring this restriction to outright prohibition.
What percentage of NZ wine is bottled under screwcrap?
Over 85% - a group of New Zealand producers pioneered the Screwcap Initiative in 2001, an international association committed to using the closure—even on ultra-premium bottlings.
What % of stated region is required for Spirits labeled with a GI in New Zealand?
100% of the spirit must come from the GI.
Where are the Waitakere Ranges?
The Waitakere Ranges are a chain of hills in the Auckland Region on the north island of New Zealand.
What are the subregions of Marlborough from north to south? Are they official?
Wairau Valley, Southern Valleys, and Awatere Valley. Not official. (Southern Valleys ironically NOT the most southern)
Where is Blenheim? What subregion is it closest to?
Blenheim is in the region of Marlborough, known as a gateway to the wineries of the Wairau Valley to the west.
What region lies in the Hauraki Gulf?
Auckland GI
Where in New Zealand would you find Waitakian limestone soils?
Waitaki North Otago GI
What are the main soil types of Waitaki North Otago GI?
Waitakian limestone
What are the official sub zones of Hawke’s Bay GI?
Central Hawkes Bay GI
What is the sunniest and rainiest GI in NZ?
Nelson GI
