Quick Dips

Great Grape Potential

The successes enjoyed by New Zealand wines in overseas wine shows indicate the enormous viticultural potential offered by this country's climates, says Lincoln University grape scientist Dr David Jackson.

Jackson and meteorologist Neil Cherry have developed a climatic index called the latitude temperature index (LTI). The LTI can be used to compare New Zealand grape growing districts with their European counterparts. Jackson sees close similarities between New Zealand climates and those of famous wine producing areas such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhine.

Central Otago and South Canterbury are comparable to Alsace, parts of the Rhine, Moselle and Burgundy. Their climates could be expected to produce fine Rieslings, Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, according to Jackson. Hawkes Bay, Gisborne and Auckland are similar to the Rhone Valley and northern Italy, suitable for Cabernets and Shiraz.

Other parts of the world with similar LTIs to Europe often have serious climatic problems, says Jackson. He believes the best New Zealand wine areas will eventually achieve the prestige of the great wine districts of Europe.