Terroir 2012 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Identifying New Zealand Sauvignon blanc terroirs

Identifying New Zealand Sauvignon blanc terroirs

Abstract

The concept of terroir is well established in the ‘old world’ wine industry but its use is still relatively new in New Zealand. Marlborough Sauvignon blanc has become a benchmark for Sauvignon blanc around the world. However, under The NZ Geographical Indications (Wines and Spirits) Registration Act 2006, this label covers all the Sauvignon blanc wines from Marlborough irrespective of brand, sub-region or production method. This is not atypical for a young industry, as it takes many years to understand the subtleties of a ‘terroir’ with its own ecophysiological conditions.
To identify distinctive terroirs, a collaborative project with New Zealand Sauvignon blanc grape producers has been initiated. This study investigates the typicality of individual commercial juices. About 100 Sauvignon blanc juices have been collected from throughout New Zealand during harvest 2011, but with the majority coming from Marlborough. Sub-samples of these juices were analysed for a number of compounds and 700-ml ferments wines were made. Fermentation characteristics were recorded and all wines were chemically analysed. A grower survey on vineyard practices was conducted. GIS technology was used to map vineyard practices, soil type and the geological and climatic conditions as well as juice and wine characteristics. The information that has been gathered will help to define identifiable New Zealand terroirs.

DOI:

Publication date: October 1, 2020

Issue: Terroir 2012

Type: Article

Authors

Marc GREVEN (1), Laure RESSÉGUIER (2), Victoria, RAW (1), Claire GROSE (1), Richard OLIVER (4), Roger HARKER (3)

(1) The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Marlborough, P.O. Box 845, Blenheim, New Zealand
(2) ENITA de Bordeaux, 1 Cours du Générale de Gaulle, 33175 Gradignan, France
(3) The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Mt Albert, Private Bag 92 169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
(4) The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Private Bag 3230, Waikato Mail Centre, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand

Keywords

Terroir, Marlborough, Sauvignon blanc, GIS

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2012

Citation

Related articles…

NEW METHOD FOR THE QUANTIFICATION OF CONDENSED TANNINS AND OTHER WINE PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS USING THE AUTOMATED BIOSYSTEMS SPICA ANALIZER

Wine phenolic compounds are important secondary metabolites in enology due to their antioxidant and nutraceutical properties, and their role in the development of color, taste, and protection of wine from oxidation and spoilage. Tannins are valuable phenolic compounds that contribute significantly to these wine properties, especially in mouthfeel characteristics; however, tannin determination remains a significant challenge, with manual and time-consuming methods or complex methodologies. The purpose of this study is to propose a novel method for quantifying condensed tannins in finished wine products.

Treated wastewater irrigation: how to manage water salinity without reducing its nutrients content?

Nutrients in municipal treated wastewater (N, P, K, mainly) are a particular advantage in this source over conventional irrigation water sources

Tracking the origin of Tempranillo Tinto through whole genome resequencing and high-throughput genotyping  

Grapevine cultivars are vegetatively propagated to maintain their varietal characteristics. This process of multiplication leads to spontaneous somatic mutations that can eventually generate a variant phenotype, of potential interest for cultivar improvement and innovation. However, regardless their phenotypic effect, somatic mutations stack in the genome, and they can be used to reveal the origin and dissemination history of ancient cultivars. Here, a stringent somatic variant calling over whole genome resequencing data from 35 ‘Tempranillo Tinto’ clones or old vines from seven Iberian winemaking regions revealed 135 single nucleotide variations (SNVs) shared by some of the clonal lines.

Effect of different packaging materials on table grape quality preservation during cold storage

During cold storage, grapes undergo changes that affect their visual, mechanical, and organoleptic properties, potentially impacting quality and negatively influencing consumer acceptance. Key parameters include uniform color, crunchiness, and flesh consistency. We evaluated the influence of two distinct packaging methods on the chromatic characteristics, hardness, and pedicel detachment resistance of fourteen new seedless white and red grape varieties during cold storage. These factors are crucial for maintaining the quality of the product and extending its shelf-life. The novel grape varieties were obtained through a breeding program at CREA-VE of Turi, Southern Italy.

Contribution of grape and oak wood barrels to pyrrole content in wines – Influence of several cooperage parameters

Chardonnay is the world’s most planted white grape variety and has met a great commercial success for decades.