“Appellation Research Report”

Marlborough, New Zealand

Gee Eun (Jay) Kim: 050 064 120

Sera Lee: 039 958 129

HTM406 FE

Deb. Cooper

History of wine started since thousands of years ago. Since then, human nature started to

develop and expand an agriculture based on grapes until today. Various outcomes were

performed from this development; viniculture and viticulture, Old World and New World, also

methods of growing and harvesting the grapes.

This report will focus on appellation of Marlborough and various types of wines

produced from this region. This report will also provide information about famous wines

produced from three top rated wineries in Marlborough, which are Montana, Allan Scott and

Villa Maria.

Montana was the largest wine company, but the name was changed to Brancott Estate

which was inspired by Brancott Vineyard in Marlborough. They first started to produce wine in

Marlborough, as well as they have been producing wines from other winegrowing regions of the

New Zealand. The Brancott Estate’s Sauvignon Blanc continues to be well known as the best

wine and the most important wine by wine lovers. They also produce Pinot Noir and Pinot

Grigio. Besides, the Brancott Estate’s wines are famous over the world.

Allan Scott wine name was derived from their family name and established themselves

back in 1990 as one of the first independent wineries. They have made highly competitive wine

with their family name among wine industry. They produce a limited volume of Sauvignon

blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir, which use the best grapes and their special method

to produce wine. They released a method which includes five bubbles to all of wines in 1999.

In 1961, George who is a founder of Villa Maria leased 5 acres of land in Auckland under

his father’s name. He raised grapes on the land, harvested and made his first wine in 1962 under

the name Villa Maria. In 1970s he began to expand rapidly. In 2000, he opened new winery in

Marlborough, and mainly produce Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough. Today, Villa Maria exports

wines to over 50 countries worldwide. For the international demands of Villa Maria’s wine, the

winery has been produce variety grapes, especially pinot noir.

As well as, there are “Brancott Estate, Oyster Bay, Hunters Wines, Marisco Vineyards,

Mud House, Cloudy Bay, Framingham Wines, Saint Clair Estate Winery and Grove Mill” as

notable vineyards in Marlborough region. Also the production of sparkling wine in the

Marlborough region is important especially near Renwick, from Riesling, Pinot noir and

Chardonnay.

Throughout the history, production of wine in New Zealand has grown so much until

today. It is true that New Zealand is now one of the biggest wine-producing countries in the

world. New Zealand produces high volume of top-rated wine products every year. An important

change that impacted on New Zealand’s modernization of wine industries was an introduction of

stainless-fermentation tanks that were refrigerated. This helped winemakers to easily produce

much cleaner and crisp white wines that have become famous.

Many types of grapes are grown widely around New Zealand, however best ones come

especially from Marlborough appellation. Marlborough is the most popular and largest wine-

producing region in New Zealand. Even though Marlborough started their wine related

businesses later than other regions, they produce almost half of the country’s wine. There are few

factors that help Marlborough to produce the best grape out of New Zealand: climate and soil.

The region Marlborough is one of the New Zealand’s sunniest and driest areas. Climate

in Marlborough is bright but relatively cool, so that it gives advantages for the grapes to ripe in a

long, slow time period. This helps grapes to intensify the flavor and aroma. During summer in

Marlborough, the average rate of daily temperature is around 24 degrees Celsius, and cool

temperature throughout the night, that helps grapes to keep the acid levels high. This temperature

differences between days and nights also enhance the taste and color development of one of the

most popular red wine produce in Marlborough which is Pinot Noir.

Marlborough soils are rated high for viticulture. It has low, moderate fertility rate and

stony, sand loam top soil lying over three layers of easy, fast and free draining shingle. These

soils are found around areas of Wairau and Awatere Valley. Since these soils are shallow, fast

draining and has a low fertility rate, it helps grapes to ripe with its own distinctive aromas.

Taste and quality of wines depend heavily on grapes; how they were grown, how they

were harvested in what kind of weather and climate. One of the most famous regions in New

Zealand in producing wine is Marlborough. Marlborough has grown popular for its famous

wineries and wines. Marlborough being one of the major regions of producing famous wines,

they produce various styles of wines with variety of grapes. For white wines, wine makers use

Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Chardonnay. For red wines, they

mostly use Pinot Noir and Merlot. For aromatic varieties such as sparkling wine, pinot noir is

also used. Though they produce many varieties, wines made with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir,

Chardonnay and Merlot are the top-rated styles of wine produced in the appellation of

Marlborough.

Although there are many different types of wine in Marlborough appellation, Sauvignon

Blanc is widely grown grape around New Zealand and has taken over the majority of acreage of

vineyards. Normally Sauvignon Blanc has very much of grassy and herbal scent, however in

New Zealand it has more of grapefruit, gooseberry and tropical fruit flavor profile.

Chardonnay is second most planted grape in New Zealand and it is also one of the major

specialty of New Zealand. Flavor profile of Chardonnay can vary from buttery and heavily oaked

scent to vibrant and crisp sparkling wine. Chardonnay is grown in various regions around New

Zealand however the best ones are produced from relatively warm climates of Marlborough.

Pinot Noir is another example of famous grape grown in New Zealand. Winemakers have

difficulty to grow this grape however it is also widely planted red grape around the region of

Marlborough, Central Otago and Hawke’s Bay. Pinot Noir grown in New Zealand have flavor

profile of bright fruit characteristics dominating its subtle earthiness.

Merlot is the one of the fast-ripening grapes. Since the characteristic of Marlborough’s

weather is relatively cool, it has perfect condition for Merlots to take enough time to create its

own distinctive scent, aroma and concentrated taste.

Although the climate of Marlborough region is cooler climate compared to the typical

climate of new world regions as warm climate, there are some specific elements which prove that

the Marlborough region as the new world wine appellation. That is because the Marlborough

region lies in a magical synergy of climate and soil. As it mentioned above, the Marlborough

region’s weather has strong difference between hot sunny days and cool nights, and it helps to

make a result in special characteristics of their grapes. The characteristics of Marlborough wines

have more fruity flavor and aroma as like new world characteristics than the wines from Europe

regions. For example, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has aroma and flavor of gooseberry,

grapefruits, and tropical fruits, while typical Old World’s Sauvignon Blanc has more herb and

earthy aroma and flavor. Also many of the wineries in Marlborough region harvests and

produces bulk amount of wine to export and to make high profits.

In conclusion, the Marlborough as the new world region seems to be the best place in the

world to raise not only Sauvignon Blanc, but also Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and so on.

Works Cited

Textbook

Gibson, Michael. The Sommelier Prep Course. 1. New Jersey: Wiley, 2010. 315-320.

Print.

Gibson, Michael. The Sommelier Prep Course. 1. New Jersey: Wiley, 2010. 265-268.

Print.

Books

Robinson, Jancis. How to Taste. New York: SIMON&SCHUSTER, 2008. 88-185. Print.

Hall, Michael, and Richard Mitchell. Wine Marketing. 1st ed. Burlington: BH, 2008. 220-

2. Print.

Stuart, Jaclyn, and Jeanette Hurt. Wine&Food Pairing. New York: Penguin Group, 2010.

31-70. Print.

Websites

"Wine Marlborough New Zealand." New Zealand's Premier Wine Region. N.p.. Web. 3

Nov 2013. <http://www.wine-marlborough.co.nz/>.

"New Zealand Wine Pure Discovery." Wine Styles. NZ Wine. Web. 3 Nov 2013.

<http://www.nzwine.com/wine-styles/>.

"Villa Maria." . AUCKLAND THEATRE COMPANY. Web. 4 Nov 2013.

<http://www.villamaria.co.nz/>.

"Allan Scott." . Auckland Art Fair. Web. 4 Nov 2013. <http://www.allanscott.com/>.

"Brancott Estate." . Brancott Estate World of WearableArt Awards Show. Web. 4 Nov

2013. <http://www.brancottestate.com/>.

Appellation Information

Country New Zealand

Appellation/Region Marlborough

Old World or New World New World

Climate found here The region Marlborough is one of the New Zealand’s sunniest and driest areas. Climate in Marlborough is bright but relatively cool, so that it gives advantages for the grapes to ripe in a long, slow time period. This helps grapes to intensify the flavour. During summer in Marlborough, the average rate of daily temperature is around 24 degrees Celsius, and cool temperature throughout the night, that helps grapes to keep the acid levels high. This temperature differences between days and nights also enhance the taste and color development of one of the most popular red wine produce in Marlborough which is Pinot Noir.

Type of soil found here Marlborough soils are rated high for viticulture. It has low, moderate fertility rate and stony, sand loam top soil lying over three layers of easy, fast and free draining shingle. These soils are found around areas of Wairau and Awatere Valley. Since these soils are shallow, fast draining and has a low fertility rate, it helps grapes to ripe with its own distinctive aromas.

Major grapes grow here 1. Sauvignon Blanc2. Pinot Noir3. Chardonnay4. Merlot

Styles of wine found here 1. White wine2. Red wine3. Sparkling wine4. Fortified wine

Distinct Old/New World characteristics to the region

Normally, wines from New World have characteristics of slight sweeter flavour and lower alcohol, however wines from Marlborough New Zealand have much more acidity and crisp compared to other wines from New World. With great contrast of days and nights temperature, grapes ripe in slow time period to create higher acidity.

Three (3) Major Producers/wineries

1. Montana2. Allan Scott3. Villa Maria

Interesting information about this appellation

- New Zealand’s southern and eastern areas of vineyard are considered as a home of wine in the world.

- Modernization happened after the most important change, which was an introduction of refrigerated, stainless steel fermentation tanks. These products made easier for winemakers to produce much more clean and crisp whites they have become the most famous for.

Wine ListBeer

Oatmeal Chocolate Stout, Renaissance Brewing Company – This stout has a full taste of chocolate. The flavours given by the crystal, brown and black malts, they add a portion of organic rolled oats for a silky smooth mouthfeel, then added a small

amount of cocoa nibs to the mash and brew kettle. They also put large addition of nibs to the fermentor. (http://www.renaissancebrewing.co.nz)

Moa Original, Moa Brewing Company – Moa Original is brewed from a blend of New Zealand premium malts and world famous Nelson Sauvin hops. It is fermented with traditional bottom fermenting yeast as a lager, Moa Original shows an array of crisp and dry characters on the palate but also has a clean floral nose. (http://www.moabeer.com)

Cocktails

Duke of Marlborough Cocktail is mixed with 1/2 Sherry(Fino), 1/2 Italian Vermouth(1 1/2 oz Punt e Mes), 3 Dashes Orange Bitters. (Dash or two of Fee’s, Dash or two of Regan’s) (http://savoystomp.com)

White WineVilla Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Marlborough

Villa Maria’s 2010 Sauvignon Blanc is flavored from gooseberries, passion fruits, limes, melon, and nettle-influenced herbaceous. This wine entices palate with a juicy mouthfeel, purity and concentration, finishing full and balanced with a fine bead of acidity. (http://www.villamaria.co.nz)

Coopers Creek Riesling 2010, Marlborough

 The Coopers Creek’s Riesling produce fruit of exceptional purity and focus. Cool fermentation with a yeast strain that is known to amplify Riesling’s lovely citrus and floral aromas has given it a dry wine of great poise and beauty. It is medium bodied and beautifully fine with a perfect balance between acid and sugar, and it finishes long and pure. (http://www.cooperscreek.co.nz)

Red Wine

Oyster Bay Pinot noir 2012, Marlborough

This wine is combined of barrel and tank fermentation and mature the wine in a mix of new and older French oak. It is fragrant, soft and flavourful with aromas of ripe cherries and sweet fruit tannins that provide structure and length. (http://www.oysterbaywines.com)

Gunn Estate Merlot Cabernet 2012, Marlborough

This red wine lifted aromas of dark berry fruits, plum and spices. The palate displays luscious berry fruits and earthy notes. The flavor is well balanced and warming red wine. A softened of the palate and rounded the tannis have extracted from a short period of maceration on skins and malolactic fermentation. It is dry wine with colored of deep ruby and purple hues. (http://www.gunnestate.co.nz)

Sparkling wineCloudy Bay Pelorus Brut Sparkling wine NV, Marlborough

The pale straw colour and aromas of ripe citrus fruits indicate its chardonnay origins. A layered bouquet of apple and lemon citrus complements fresh bready notes derived from two years bottle ageing on lees. The deliciously crisp palate displays toasty, creamy complexity, enhanced by a lingering nutty finish. (http://www.cloudybay.co.nz)