New Zealand

Question 1

What variety is New Zealand best known for?

Answer 1

SauvBlanc. Benchmark for producers around the world.

Question 2

What is the climate of New Zealand.

Answer 2

Maritime. South cooler, north, warmer

Question 3

What allows New Zeland to flourish as a wine growing country?

Answer 3

Long days, nights cooled by sea breezes and a long ripening period allows grapes to reach high levels of sugar and flavor ripeness while retaining acidity. Vineyards of the south are located on the east side protected from westerly winds by mountains in the center of the island. Rainfall can be problematic during ripening. However soils are freedraining. Flat land can be overly fertile leading to excessive leaf groth. Therefore they are experts in trellising and canopy management.

Question 4

What type of wine growing does New Zealand practice?

Answer 4

Sustainable.

Question 5

What white varieties does New Zealand grow?

Answer 5

SauvBlanc, Chard, Riesling, Pinot Gris.

Question 6

What black varieties does New Zealand grow?

Answer 6

Pinot, Merlot, Cab, Syrah.

Question 7

Describe a typical N.Z. SauvBlanc.

Answer 7

Pungent aromas, intense flavors of elderflower and passion fruit, high acidity.

Question 8

How does the SauvBlanc differ b/w north and south?

Answer 8

Warmer north has more tropical flavors; South has higher acidity, green bell peppers and gooseberry. Both generally fermented in stainless steel, but some use oak.

Question 9

Describe a N.Z. Chard.

Answer 9

Different styles, but generally concentrated citrus and tropical fruits with hints of toast and sweet spice from new French oak.

Question 10

What contributes to the growing use of aromatic whites (Riesling, Gewurtztraminer and semi-aromatic Pinot Gris).

Answer 10

Dry autumns and cool nights allow time for grapes to develop before harvest.

Question 11

What is the second most planted grape in N.Z.?

Answer 11

Pinot Noir. Generally grown in the South Island.

Question 12

Describe the profile of a N.Z. Pinot.

Answer 12

Vibrant fruit, ripe fine tannins, soft texture and high alcohol.

Question 13

What is the second most planted red?

Answer 13

Merlot. Sometimes blended with cab to add tannin and cassis. Noted for their purity of fruit flavors.

Question 14

The production of reds are strongly concentrated on which island?

Answer 14

North due to warmer temperatures.

Question 15

N.Z. Syrah more closely resembles an Australian or Rhone Syrah?

Answer 15

Rhone.

Question 16

Name the wine regions in the North Island?

Answer 16

Auckland, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa.

Question 17

What is the warmest and wettest region?

Answer 17

Auckland. Fungal diseases are an issue.

Question 18

What are the varieties in Gisborn?

Answer 18

Over half Chard (ripe tropical fruit). Small @ of Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Gris.

Question 19

Which area is the warmest of the main grape growing areas and has the longest sunshine?

Answer 19

Hawke’s Bay. Second to only Marlborough in plantings.

Question 20

Name the area in Hawke’s Bay that has well drained, heat absorbing gravel soil on the valley floor that has a particularly high reputation for black varieties.

Answer 20

Gimblett Gravels.

Question 21

Wairarapa, the region furtherest south on the North Island, has a global reputation for Pinot. It is next to what small town?

Answer 21

Martinborough. Medium to full body and lots of dark plum and spice.

Question 22

Name the regions in the South Island.

Answer 22

Marlborough, Nelson, Cantebury, Central Otago.

Question 23

Nelson is to the west of Marlborough. How does its climate differ?

Answer 23

Cooler and wetter. SauvBlanc, Pinot, Pinot Gris.

Question 24

Describe Cantebury’s two main centers of viticulture.

Answer 24

The plain immediately west of Christchurch - exposed to the cooling of the Pacific. Waipara Valley to the north. Both have a warming effect from north-west winds, but the impact is more marked in Waipara, which is less exposed to the ocean due to a range of hills. SauvBlanc, Pinot, and some high quality Riesling.

Question 25

Where is Central Otago located?

Answer 25

Furtherest region south in N.Z. Inland in the foothills of the southern N.Z. Alps.

Question 26

What is the climate of Central Otago?

Answer 26

Continental. Frost damage a risk both in spring and autumn. Summers are warm but large diurnal range. Intense sunlight that produces high alcohol. Produces full bodied, juicy and vibrant pinot with concentrated red ripe fruit flavors.