Posted by Blogger Name. Category:
2014 vintage
,
Barossa Valley
,
Exports
,
Good news
,
Wine industry
This is especially good news. In fact some would even describe it as "vintage"; the Herald reports:
New Zealand wine exports have rebounded to record levels as the wine growing industry continues its turnaround in fortunes.
Wine exports exceeded $1.3 billion annually for the first time in March, according to figures released by Statistics New Zealand - a 9.2 per cent increase from 12 months ago.
"We expect further strong growth in the year ahead when the 2014 vintage wines are released," New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said.
"The very robust export performance over the past 12 months reflects the continued demand in key markets and increased availability of the wine from the 2013 vintage," Gregan added.
That's fantastic news for an industry which is more at the mercy of Mother Nature than most. But the good news doesn't stop there; read on:
2013 saw a record harvest of 345,000 tonnes of grapes, up significantly from the low 2012 harvest, and the 2014 vintage is being tipped by some local growers to be the best ever.
Gisborne winemaker Steve Voysey of Spade Oak Vineyard says the region's warm spring temperatures ensured excellent flowering, while the cool nights and warm days towards the end of January enhanced véraison (ripening).
"You know it's a legendary vintage when every tank in the place is chocca. I'm just loving what I'm seeing being caressed into wine, the ferment bench is a delight to taste through," Voysey said.
Last month, Hawke's Bay winegrower Hugh Crichton of Vidal Estate, tipped this year's Chardonnay crop to be the region's best ever vintage.
Wine is New Zealand's eighth biggest export good ($1.32 billion), just behind fish ($1.34 billion in annual export earnings) and crude oil exports ($1.38 billion), according to the March Overseas Merchandise Trade figures.
We've just spent a week in Australia's main wine-producing area. It's fair to say that New Zealand wines have a very good reputation, even over there. Staff at one of the cellars we visited in the Barossa Valley conceded that they can't match the flavours of our sauvigon blancs, and pinot gris is almost unheard of. At dinner on our last night we enjoyed an excellent Central Otago pinot noir, recommended by the waiter from a lengthy, international wine list. And an Australian chap sitting next to us on the plane home told us he almost exclusively drinks New Zealand wine, as a matter of choice.
Here's hoping that the 2014 vintage is indeed as good as expected. We look forward to sampling some in the fullness of time, whilst appreciating the importance of the export dollars this industry earns.
