The phenomenal growth of New Zealand  wines, achieving NZ$1.2 Billion (Rs. 36 Billion) of total sales is an Inspiration to its own economy and all other nations striving to create economic prosperity through their wine Industry, writes  Puneet Dhall from New Zealand.

To date 1 Billion Glasses of New Zealand Wine have been sold in 95 Countries around the World. After Two Decades of Growth, their wines are a Serious Player in the New Zealand Economy and The International Wine Trade.

How has this Success been achieved? Through an Obsession with Quality Focused Viticulture, Winemaking and Marketing built upon Co-operation and Innovation. Consumers all around the World have Strong Positive Perceptions of New Zealand Wine as High in Quality, Purity and Discovery.

So let us Explore this Nation and begin to Understand how such Great and Diverse Wines are being made.

New Zealand is Made up of Two Main Islands found in the South West Pacific 1,600km from the nearest other Landmass. The Two Islands (North Island & South Island) Total 266,000 Sq km.

Its Climate is Maritime with no point being further than 120km from the Sea. Coastal Vineyards have Long Sunshine Hours, Sea Breezes and Cool Nights.

These Factors are important in the Optimum Growth and Ripening of Vines to extract Maximum Flavours from the Soils, and avoid numerous diseases.

There are 10 Main Regions within New Zealand split between Latitudes of 37 and 43 Degrees South. From North to South These Regions are

The Wide Range of Climate and Soils allows for a Large Diversity in Varietals and Soils. If you thought New Zealand was Just about Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, then you are about to embark on a lovely journey of Discovery.

“ New Zealand has long been the envy of other wine exporting countries. It has created its own extremely popular style of wine, pungent Sauvignon Blanc… “ Jancis Robinson Financial Times (US edition) Feb 10th 2008

New Zealand really came to the fore on the International Scene in the early 1970’s with its extraordinary Wines from The Sauvignon Blanc Vines of Marlborough. Since then New Zealand has continued to produce Highly Distinctive Wines across all Varieties, which offer new world fruitiness with old world style, and are extraordinarily food friendly.

New Zealand is remarkable in that, with both the North and the South Islands to choose from, it can succeed with almost any grape variety”  Stephen Spurrier, Decanter UK, Aug. 1st  2006

Other Varieties of Distinction include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Incredible Methode Champenoise wines.

“New Zealand excels beyond Sauvignon Blanc. The country can produce distinctive wines from a diverse selection of grapes”  Paul Lukacs, Washington Times, USA Feb 6th 2008

Added to the Incredible Climate and Regional Diversity, The Third Factor to the Success of New Zealand Wine is its People and the Innovative Vineyard and Winemaking Practices they adopt.

New Zealand has been among World Leaders in its Research on Site Selection, Canopy Management and Sustainable Viticulture Practices.

New Zealand Firmly believes that Sustainability is a key strategic goal for a successful future in the International Wine Business. In short it is the passport to Trade. This Year New Zealand Adopted a Sustainable Policy that Targets having all New Zealand Grapes and Wine produced under independently audited sustainability schemes by 2012. For Example New Zealand has been a key player in the development of a BioGro Organinc Grape and Wine Standard.

New Zealand has also been a World Leader in Stainless Steel Fermentation, Maceration Techniques and the Use of Screw Caps.

All of these Practices have leader to higher levels of Quality and Wines of impeccable distinction

There are now 565 Wineries in New Zealand, and In the Last Decade Exports have risen by 820% to NZ$ 698 Million in 2006/7

In 2007 the UK was New Zealand’s largest Export Wine Market, with over a third of Exports going there.

In the same Year India was New Zealand’s 36th Largest Export of Wine with a Volume of 14,500 Litres.

In 2008 Exports to India Rose to 25,500 Litres and Became New Zealand’s 31st Largest Export of Wine. This showed an increase of 40% in Volume Terms in the Space of a Year.

New Zealand Wines with their natural fruit Expression, Purity and Aromatics lends wonderfully to the Indian Consumer. As the Indian Market grows and Discovers these wines, so will the Natural Demand for New Zealand Wines Steadily Increase as it has done so in 94 Other Countries around the World.

Dhall and Nash

Puneet Dhall is a wine Sommelier and a partner in Nash and Dhall Wines. At the ‘Guided Wine Tasting – New Zealand and Australia’, to be organised at the IFE-India food and wine show in Pragati Maidan, Delhi from 2-4 December, 2008 you  will get to taste exclusively

Summerhouse Blanc de Blancs – Marlborough Waimea Estate Aged Sauvignon Blanc 2003– Nelson,  Lowburn Ferry Pinot Noir 2007, Central Otago   and Unison Syrah 2006 from Hawkes Bay. Click here for details and  to REGISTER. Plan to visit Dhall and Nash Fine Wines stand to taste wines from reputed wineries from many of these regions.

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