A GIS Analysis of New Zealand Terroir

Abstract

This paper summarises a national survey of the geological setting of vineyards in New Zealand. We also provide an overview of climate, slope, aspect and varietals planted in New Zealand vineyards as a whole and for some individual regions.
New Zealand produces premium quality wines and its wine industry is growing rapidly. Growing degree days in the winegrowing regions range from 900 in cool Central Otago and Canterbury to over 1600 in the warmest region in the country, Auckland. Average growing season temperatures for the same regions range from approximately 14.3°C to 17.6°C. New Zealand vineyards are planted mainly on flat alluvial and glacial gravels with slopes of less than 3°. Rapid growth is pushing new plantings onto adjacent hillsides that are underlained by greywacke, schist and less commonly limestone. The expansion of the industry onto these different substrates will affect grape and wine characteristics; this provides significant opportunities to develop new styles of New Zealand ultra-premium wines

DOI:

Publication date: December 8, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2008

Type : Article

Authors

Stephen P. IMRE and Jeffrey L. MAUK

School of Geography, Geology and Environmental Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag, 92019 Auckland, New Zealand

Contact the author

Keywords

GIS, terroir, New Zealand, geology, soil, climate

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2008

Citation

Related articles…

Role of VvNCED1 in β-damascenone and abscisic acid biosynthesis: new insights into aroma development in grapes

β-Damascenone is a key norisoprenoid in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) that imparts floral and fruity aromas to both fruits and wines. It is derived from carotenoid metabolism, with neoxanthin as a substrate.

Estudio comparativo del potencial enológico de dos varietales tintos cultivados en la isla de Tenerife

En el presente trabajo se ha realizado un estudio comparativo entre los varietales tintos Listán negro y Negramolle en la Denominación de Origen Tacoronte-Acentejo. Se han determinado durante dos años

Revealing the origins of old bordeaux wines using terpene quantification

The overall quality of fine wines is linked to the development of “bouquet” during wine bottle ageing (1). Bordeaux red wine ageing bouquet is defined by the association of several odours

Egg allergens in wine. Validation of a new automated method for ovalbumin quantification

Ovalbumin (ova), a natural clarifying protein, is particularly suitable for clarifying red wines. It helps improve the tannic and polyphenolic stability of the wine by removing the most astringent tannins and contributing to soften and refine the structure. Ova binds to suspended particles, proteins, polysaccharides, and, to a lesser extent, tannins through electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, forming large complexes that can be removed from the wine through fining and/or filtration before bottling.

Mapping and tracking canopy size with VitiCanopy

Understanding vineyard variability to target management strategies, apply inputs efficiently and deliver consistent grape quality to the winery is essential. However, despite inherent vineyard variability, the majority are managed as if they are uniform. VitiCanopy is a simple, grower-friendly tool for precision/digital viticulture that allows users to collect and interpret objective spatial information about vineyard performance. After four years of field and market research, an upgraded VitiCanopy has been created to achieve a more streamlined, technology-assisted vine monitoring tool that provides users with a set of superior new features, which could significantly improve the way users monitor their grapevines. These new features include:
• New user interface
• User authentication
• Batch analysis of multiple images
• Ease the learning curve through enhanced help features
• Reporting via the creation of colour maps that will allow users to assess the spatial differences in canopies within a vineyard.
Use-case examples are presented to demonstrate the quantification and mapping of vineyard variability through objective canopy measurements, ground-truthing of remotely sensed measurements, monitoring of crop conditions, implementation of disease and water management decisions as well as creating a history of each site to forecast quality. This intelligent tool allows users to manage grapevines and make informed management choices to achieve the desired production targets and remain profitable.