New Zealand Winemakers Look To Regain The Market

NZ Sauvignon Blanc Markets Down

Having suffered two reduced harvests in a row in New Zealand, the UK off-trade sales of Sauvignon Blanc were down by almost 25% in the three months leading up to 25 May.

The same period of time saw prices hike over 10% for the Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, this has led to consumers taking to Sauv Blanc from different regions, including Chile.

Marcelo Papa, winemaker at Concha y Toro, believes the coastline region of Casablanca is currently generating Chile’s finest Sauvignon Blancs, which he describes as “dramatic and intensely aromatic”, while those from nearby Leyda are more “gentle and mineral” in style.

The Bright Side

It’s not all bad news from New Zealand though, Winemakers here have described this years vintage as “one of the best vintages in history”, with the 2013 crop up nearly 30% on last year, i’ve got a feeling they’ll be praying that this will help them claw back sales from the clutches of their New World competitors.

From A Wider Perspective

Aside from this news on Sauvignon Blanc alone, the UK Market & Consumer Report states that UK retail sales of wine costing £8-9 a bottle are up by 21% and that Prosecco and Cava continue to pose a threat to Champagne retail sales in the UK.

“The growth of sales of £8-9 wines shows a burgeoning market for high quality wines in the UK and a growing demand from consumers to find out more on the subject,” the report states before claiming that “Wine is really beginning to capture the imagination of drinkers who are increasingly spending more money to find something new, exciting and delicious,”

The report also revealed that off-trade sparkling wine sales were up 10% in volume and 13% in value in the 12 months to May 2013, with cava and Prosecco increasingly encroaching on Champagne’s sales turf.

The report suggested that “If wine is to boost sales and steal market share it must emphasise premium wine characteristics such as limited editions and quality of production,” the report urged.

By Connell Green
Google

photo credit: Carlos Varela via photopin cc