New Zealand Wines Surging In Export Markets: Canada Receives One M Shipments

New Zealand wines are witnessing a surge in demand and are in top gear in many export markets. The exports marked a record high of NZ $1.29 billion in 2014, that was up by 8.2 percent over the previous 12 months, according to New Zealand Winegrowers. New Zealand wine producers have reason to cheer as the good times are coming after a long slump in prices the past few years because of overproduction.

The export surge is best exemplified in the heavy demand from Canada for New Zealand wines, reports Globe and Mail. The annual shipments to Canada for the first time exceeded one million cases in February 2015, making New Zealand the fastest growing region on store shelves and restaurants' wine lists.

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Meanwhile, Telegraph reports Brancott Sauvignon as one of the best high-volume wines from new Zealand. Grüner Veltliner also from Marlborough’s is called exotic with the peach and mango blend and a typical burst of grüner spice. Chardonnay is hailed as elegant and with a class.

Among Canada’s favourites, a standard-bearer premium Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is praised for its consistency in price. It is described as a blast of white table grape, grapefruit and melon, with fresh grass and herbs underfoot, adds the report.

Sugar Loaf Sauvignon Blanc is of a special legacy. Sugar Loaf founder Kate Acland named the winery after a group of tiny, uninhabited islands in Taranaki coast up. Made in Marlborough, it is light-bodied and delicate and suggests mango, passion fruit and cherry candy, with notes of snap pea. It is best when paired with delicate seafood dishes.

Geographical Indications

Meanwhile, more support for the wine industry is coming. A Bill to amend the Registrations Act will be introduced in New Zealand’s Parliament in 2015 to implement a legal system of long-awaited Geographical Indications. The New Zealand government recently announced that it would implement the Geographical Indications (Wine and Spirits) Registration Act passed in 2006. Thanks to the legislation, well-known Kiwi wine regions such as Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay would enjoy greater international protection with legal systems befitting the Geographical Indications.

GIs guarantee protection to products coming from a specific region with qualities and reputation specific to regions like Bordeaux wines, Champagne, Rioja, Chianti,etc.

(For feedback/comments, contact the writer at k.kumar@ibtimes.com.au)