New Zealand wine growing region located far south on the South Island and inland toward in the central part of the island around the small towns of Alexandria, Cromwell, Gibbston, Queenstown, and Wanaka. This region evolved in the 1860s when gold was discovered, and it was about this time that Frenchman Jean Désire Feraud planted vines and began making prize-winning wines. In 1895, Bordeaux-trained wine expert Romeo Bragato identified this area's potential as a premium grape-growing region. Central Otago is New Zealand's and the world's most southerly wine region. The southernmost location and high altitude also make it one of New Zealand's coolest areas. But, being inland, Central Otago does not have a maritime climate and therefore is subject to higher fluctuations in daily and seasonal temperatures. Surprisingly, because the region is protected, days can be very warm with temperatures ranging from mid 80°F to low 90°F, but dropping dramatically overnight, all of which helps maintain the grapes' acidity levels. pinot noir has overtaken chardonnay as the most popular variety and continues to increase its hold as the most dominant. Other varieties planted here include gewürztraminer, pinot gris, riesling and sauvignon blanc. With approximately 1,100 acres, Central Otago is New Zealand's sixth largest growing area, right behind canterbury and auckland and just ahead of wellington.
Central Otago
| Wine Lover's Companion: Central Otago |
| 5min Related Video: Central Otago |
| Wikipedia: Central Otago |
| Central Otago | ||
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| Central Otago District | ||
| Population | 17,700 (June 2008 estimate)[1] | |
| Land area | 9,959.24 km² (3,845.28 sq mi) | |
Central Otago is the inland part of the New Zealand region of
The area is dominated by mountain ranges and the upper reaches of the Clutha River and tributaries. The wide flat plateau of the Maniototo which lies between the upper reaches of the Taieri River and the Clutha's northern tributary the Manuherikia is also usually considered part of Central Otago.
Characterised by cold winters and hot, dry summers, the area is only lightly populated, although there has recently been considerable development around the tourist towns of Queenstown and Wanaka. First significant European occupation came with the discovery of gold at Gabriel's Gully near Lawrence in 1861, which led to the Central Otago goldrush. Other towns and villages include Albert Town, Alexandra, Arrowtown, Bannockburn, Clyde, Cromwell, Hawea, Millers Flat, Naseby, Oturehua, Ranfurly, Roxburgh, St. Bathans, and Wedderburn.
Since the 19th century, most of the area's economic activity has centred on sheep, stone fruit, and tourism. In recent years, deer farms and vineyards have increased the region's economic diversification. Recently the cool climate varieties Riesling and Pinot Noir have been recognised as being especially suitable, and as the vines age Central Otago wines can be expected to improve even further, as the plantings are new and increasing rapidly. Central Otago is the world's southernmost commercial wine production region.
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Administration
The Central Otago District Council, based in Alexandra, and the Queenstown Lakes District Council, based in Queenstown, administer territorial authority matters, while the
"Central"
The colloquial name for Central Otago is simply "Central". Residents from the surrounding regions may not talk about being in Central Otago or going to Central Otago - instead referring to being or going "up Central" (this usage is mainly limited to residents of
References
- ^ "Subnational Population Estimates: At 30 June 2008". Statistics New Zealand. 23 October 2008. http://www.stats.govt.nz/~/media/Statistics/methods%20and%20services/tables/subnational%20population%20estimates/subnational-pop-estimate-jun2008-all-tables.aspx. Retrieved on 2009-08-01.
External links
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This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
 | Canterbury (wine-related term) |
| New Zealand (physical geography, geomorphology) |
| Moas (Dinornithidae) (zoology) |
 | A place in central otago named after a hungry gold prospector? |
| What year was gold found in central Otago? |
| How did the chinese miners get to otago? |
Copyrights:
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 | Wine Lover's Companion. Wine Lover's Companion. Copyright © 2003 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Central Otago". Read more |
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Mentioned in
- Canterbury (wine-related term)
- New Zealand (physical geography, geomorphology)
- Moas (Dinornithidae) (zoology)
- Ian Rutherford
