SUB-REGIONS
Waipara Valley is significantly warmer than the rest of Canterbury, due to shelter from coastal winds. Amberley lies just south of the Waipara River. On the Plains, West Melton & Rolleston soils are mainly alluvial over gravel subsoils. Banks Peninsula vineyards are typically planted in valleys with favourable mesoclimates.
HISTORY
Grapes were first planted in Akaroa
in 1855 by French pioneers. Lincoln University vineyard & winemaking trials began in 1973, first commercial plantings followed in 1978. A seminal moment for Canterbury came when the region was awarded its first gold medal, for St Helena's 1982 Pinot Noir.
VARIETALS
Long, dry summers, abundant sunshine & relatively cool growing conditions have encouraged plantings of Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc & Pinot Gris while Pinot Noir has revealed its potential in the Waipara Valley.
Michael Cooper: "French pioneers landed on Banks Peninsula in the mid-19th century carrying vine cuttings & soon after produced Canterbury's first wines. Today, most of the region's winegrowers are based at Waipara, but North Canterbury's vineyards are starting to spread well beyond Waipara - inland to Waikari, north to Cheviot and further afield"
Pinot Gris & Pinot Grigio
- one grape with two names -
While Pinot Gris & Pinot Grigio are in fact the same grape variety, the stylistic difference in winemaking between the French (Gris)Typically rich & often sweet, with luscious, spicy tropical fruit aromas & the Italian (Grigio)Typically light, crisp & dry, with citrus flavors is quite distinct.
In NZ, most wine made from this grape is labelled as Pinot Gris (for reasons similar to Syrah/Shiraz - a market perception of quality) but as volumes increase a specific Pinot Grigio-labelled style may yet emerge.
Pinot Grigio: traditionally grown in Northeastern Italy
Region close-up
Pinot Gris: traditionally grown in Alsace, France
Region close-up
Bob Campbell MW: Pinot Gris, like Chardonnay, is capable of producing serious wines in every NZ region. In northern parts Pinot Gris seems to be richer & fuller with riper stonefruit & lanolin characters. Further south wines become more vibrant & delicate with pear & sometimes mineral flavours
