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…

Agri-photovoltaics: first experience above Riesling vines

Agri-photovoltaics (apv) describes the dual use of an agricultural area for food production and solar power generation. There are already a number of systems in operation around the world with various crops and under a wide range of different set-ups. In large parts, they still allow mechanical cultivation and other positive side effects of an APV system were observed in addition to the increase in utilization in the form of electricity and food: effects on the water balance and passive protection against extreme weather events.

´Vinho Verde´ wines production from differential fermentation: the role of musts sulphitation as a preservation strategy to keep the musts character

High-volume mass-market white wines production method by means of harvest-deferred fermentation from desulphited musts allows an efficient business management by avoiding the seasonality in wine sector.

Sensory impacts of the obturator used for the Chasselas: study over the time

Many parameters affect the organoleptic characteristics of wine: internal parameters like the chemical composition or polyphenol content and external as for example storage conditions or the type of obturator. The aim of this study was to characterize sensorally the impacts of several type of obturator on a white wine: Chasselas. To determine the organoleptic characteristics of this wine, a quantitative descriptive analysis could be used. But rapid sensory methods were preferred in this project. Indeed these methods are an appropriate alternative to conventional descriptive methods for quickly assessing sensory product discrimination.

Study to optimize the effectiveness of copper treatments for low impact viticulture

Among all pathologies that afflict grapevine, Downy Mildew (DM) is the most important. Generally controlled using Copper (Cu), recently European Commission confirmed its usage but limiting the maximum amount to 28 Kg per hectare in 7 years (Reg. EU 2018/1981).

CHARACTERISTIC EXTRACTION OF THE PHENOL COMPOUNDS IN KOSHU (VITIS VINIFERA CV.) WINE DURING THE MACERATION

Koshu is one of the indigenous grape variety that has been grown in Japan for more than one thousand years. Recent research showed that it has 70% of Vitis vinifera genes. In 2010, the Koshu variety was included in ‘International List of Vine and Varieties and their Synonyms’ managed by the ‘International Organisation of Vine and Wine’ and has further fueled its popularity in Japan. It is the most cultivated variety for winemaking in Japan.
Koshu berries have light purple skins. The variety is mainly used to produce white wines such as an aromatic wine and a wine produced by sur lie method although various styles are produced.