Grape varieties for New Zealand

Abstract

Between 1960 and 1975 in New Zealand, the area planted in grapes increased six‑fold (Table 1). New plantations are still being established, and production is likely to increase for some years to come. Along with increased production, other changes have occurred which have benefited the industry and have enabled the satisfactory absorption of the extra volume of wine. One of the most significant has been the change from widespread planting of hybrid grapes (70% in 1960) to the present situation where viniferas constitute 72% of the total planting (Table 1). This has improved quality immeasurably, and many of our better wines can now stand comparison with quality material from overseas. A second improvement has been in the cellar. We now use less water and less sugar in making wine, and fewer second and third fermentation runs on leftovers from the original pressings. Thus, although the volume of grapes has increased, the volume of wine per tonne of grapes has decreased, improving quality and slowing down the increase in production. While we can feel moderately proud of the changes that have taken place, there is still no call for complacency. We can do a lot better, and we believe we must aim to make New Zealand wines recognised as among the world’s best so that, if necessary, we can make an impact on overseas markets. In parts of the country we have ideal climates (Table 2) and soils, and with even more attention to varieties and variety selection we can still make substantial improvements. There are many varieties which make superb wines elsewhere and which are still too little grown in New Zealand. Such grapes would include Pinot Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, White Riesling, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and others. Most certainly we have a great deal of work to do in order to find the best varieties for each district. Because White Riesling in Germany produces some of the world’s best wine, there is no guarantee that it will be the best variety in New Zealand. Indeed, even within New Zealand we may expect to find big variations between districts.