New Zealand

Region Hierarchy
Climate(s) Moderate Maritime, Cool Maritime, Cool Continental
Notes: Long sunshine hours and nights cooled by sea breezes.
Elevation
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Grape(s)
Color Grape Notes
Red Cabernet Sauvignon Grape Grape notes: High tannins due to thick skin. Buds late and needs a long growing season. Often blended with Merlot to gain softness. Usually destemmed and crushed.
Red Merlot Grape Grape notes: Aroma/Flavors vary according to ripeness. Often blended with Cab. Sauvignon to add softness. Buds and ripens early.
Red Pinot Noir (Nero) Grape New Zealand's premier red grape. Vibrant fruit, fine ripe tannins, soft texture.
Grape notes: Low tannins due to thin skin. Susceptible to rot. Early budding and ripening.
Red Syrah / Shiraz Grape Grape notes: Shiraz in Australia; all elsewhere Syrah. Small with thick, dark skins.
White Chardonnay Grape
White Gewurztraminer Grape Grape notes: This is an aromatic grape; its nose intensity will likely be pronounced.
White Pinot Gris (Grigio) Grape Grape notes: Early budding and ripening.
Two main styles:
1. Harvested early. Dry, light body, medium-to-high acidity and simple flavors.
2. Delayed harvesting. Full body, medium acidity and complex flavors.
White Riesling Grape Grape notes: Susceptible to botrytis
White Sauvignon Blanc Grape New Zealand's premier white grape.
Grape notes: This is an aromatic grape; its nose intensity will likely be pronounced.
Wines(s)
Type Wine Notes
Sparkling Rosé Other type of Sparkling Rosé Wine Wine notes: Made from blending red and white base wines or with a short maceration.
Sparkling White Other type of Sparkling White Wine Typically Sauvignon Blanc based made via the tank method
Still Red Bourdeaux Style Blend Wine Generally Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Wine notes: This is a Bourdeaux like wine that is a blend, typically of Cabernet Sauvignon and other red grapes.
Still Red Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Wine notes: Often able to age well.
Still Red Merlot Wine
Still Red Pinot Noir Wine Wine notes: Burgundy Pinot Noir is typically drunk young.
Still Red Syrah (Shiraz) Wine Wine notes: High tannins due to thick skin
Still White Chardonnay Wine Typically aged in new French oak
Still White Gewurztraminer Wine Wine notes: Usually high alcohol, complex and flavorful.
Still White Pinot Grigio Wine (Italy)
Still White Pinot Gris Wine (France) Viscous texture, medium acidity, fruit flavors.
Still White Riesling Wine
Still White Sauvignon Blanc Wine Intense flavors of elderflower and passion fruit. High acidity. Usually fermented protectively.



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