Bumper Crop

Kiwi wine exports hit a record high of half a billion dollars this year, according the New Zealand Winegrowers annual report. Pinot noir sales increased 55% to overtake chardonnay as NZ’s second most exported varietal, after perennial favourite sauvignon blanc. “The record 2006 harvest will give us wine volumes to consolidate our presence in new markets and continue supply of our top three markets including the UK, USA and Australia,” said Winegrowers chairman Brian Vieceli. The continued success of NZ wine is all the more remarkable given the current slump in global sales.