New Zealand

Question 1

What is NZs flagship grape?

Answer 1

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 2

What is NZ climate?

Answer 2

Cool Maritime in the South Island

Warmer Maritime in the North

Question 3

What trifecta of climate conditions allos for the development of grapes with high sugar and flavour ripeness while retaining acidity?

Answer 3

Long sunshine hours (latitude)
Nights cooled by sea breezes
Long ripening period

Question 4

What is the main climatic risk in NZ?

Answer 4

Rainfall

Question 5

Where are most vineyards found in South Island NZ and why?

Answer 5

East coast as the Alps protect them from worst of rain-bearing westerly winds

Question 6

What have NZ grape-growers become experts in?

Answer 6

Trellising and other canopy management techniques

Question 7

What is the New Zealand wine industry strongly committed to in terms of vineyard management and winery practices?

Answer 7

Sustainability

Question 8

What are the four main white grapes found in NZ?

Answer 8

Sauvignon Blanc
Chardonnay
Riesling
Pinot Gris

Question 9

What are two distinctive aromas of NZ Sauvignon Blanc in general?

Answer 9

Passion fruit and Elderflower

Question 10

There are subtle differences in the style of North and South islands. Where the North island produces SB with more tropical flavours, the South island SB present what characteristics?

Answer 10

Gooseberry
Green bell pepper
Higher acidity

Question 11

NZ Chardonnay is made in a wide range of styles. What is a general description?

Answer 11

Citrus and tropical fruits with subtle hints of toast and sweet spice from new french oak

Question 12

When dealing with Riesling, Gewurtz and semi-aromatic Pinot Gris, what two climatic elements ensure the development of aromatic compounds?

Answer 12

Dry autumns

Cool nights

Question 13

What spectrum of sweetness are NZ Rielsings and Pinot Gris made in? What is the most prevalent style?

Answer 13

Range from dry to sweet

Off-dry most prevalent

Question 14

What is the second most planted grape variety in NZ?

Answer 14

Pinot Noir

Question 15

What kind of alcohol levels might you find in NZ Pinot Noir?

Answer 15

Quite high

Question 16

What three black grapes are also relevant?

Answer 16

Merlot, Cab Sauv

Syrah

Question 17

Syrah from NZ can be compared to Syrah from where else?

Answer 17

The Rhone

Question 18

What are the four main regions of the North Island?

Answer 18

Auckland
Gisborne
Hawke’s Bay
Wairarapa

Question 19

Which warm North Island region is the wettest?

Answer 19

Auckland

Question 20

What grapes are most predominant in Auckland?

Answer 20

Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah

Question 21

Which North Island region experiences high rainfall but high temperatures and sunshine during ripening season? It is planted to over 50% Chardonnay

Answer 21

Gisborne

Question 22

Which two grapes produce small amounts of high quality whites in Gisborne?

Answer 22

Gewurtztraminer

Pinot Gris

Question 23

Which region, based on the east coast estuary plain, is the warmest grape growing area with the longest sunshine hours?

Answer 23

Hawke’s Bay

Question 24

What is the name of the parcel of well-drained, heat-absorbing gravel soils on the valley floor in Hawke’s Bay?

Answer 24

Gimblett Gravels

Question 25

What grapes is Hawke's Bay known for? What other grape produces premium wines?

Answer 25

Merlot and Cab Sauv | Syrah

Question 26

Which region is Martinborough found in?

Answer 26

Wairarapa

Question 27

Which grape is Martinborough famous for?

Answer 27

Pinot Noir

Question 28

Summer temperatures in Martinborough (Wairarapa) can be hot. What allows the successful development of Pinot Noir?

Answer 28

High diurnal

Question 29

Pinot Noir from Martinborough is... and displays hints of...? (body, flavour)

Answer 29

Medium to Full bodies | Dark plum and spice

Question 30

What are the four main regions of the South Island?

Answer 30

Marlborough Nelson Canterbury Central Otago

Question 31

Which South Island regions is the major centre fro grape growing in NZ?

Answer 31

Marlborough

Question 32

Vineyards in Marlborough are split between two adjacent estuary valleys, Wairau and Awatere. Which is the larger area with long sunny days and a range of aspects to work with? What is SB from the other valley like?

Answer 32

Wairau is the larger area | Awatare is cooler and as such has more retained acidity and a pronounced herbaceous character.

Question 33

Which black grape garners most attention in Marlborough? What kind of body and flavour do we see here?

Answer 33

Pinot Noir | Medium bodied with flavours of cherry and cranberry

Question 34

What two white grapes do well in Marlborough, aside from Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 34

Riesling and Pinot Gris

Question 35

Which region sits adjacent to Marlborough but is cooler and wetter?

Answer 35

Nelson

Question 36

What plantings dominate in Nelson? (3)

Answer 36

Pinot Noir, Sauv Blanc and Pinot Gris

Question 37

Canterbury has two main centres for viticulture. One in a plain just West of Christchurch, the other is Waipara Valley. What has a cooling effect here? What two elements combat this cooling effect, particularly in Waipara?

Answer 37

Pacific has a cooling effect Warm winds from the north-west Shelter from hills

Question 38

What are the two most planted varieties in Canterbury? What third grape does very well?

Answer 38

Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir | Riesling

Question 39

Which region, located in the foothills of the NZ Alps is relatively continental and commonly sees the risk of fog?

Answer 39

Central Otago

Question 40

What gives grapes such high alcohol in Central Otago?

Answer 40

Intense sunlight

Question 41

What style of Pinot Noir comes from Central Otago? (Body, fruit)

Answer 41

Full bodied with concentrated ripe red fruit

Question 42

Which three white varieties are important in Central Otago?

Answer 42

Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay