New Zealand will present its largest ever showcase of premium wines in Singapore at the upcoming Wine for Asia 2006 on November 2-4. As many as 37 brands from the key wine-producing regions in New Zealand are set to turn up the heat as Singaporeans become increasingly enchanted with the country's cool climate wines.

New Zealand wine imports into Singapore recorded the fastest growth of any New World wines between 2001 and 2005, with a staggering 292% increase. With 530 wineries now established in New Zealand and producing vineyard areas totalling 22,000 hectares, New Zealand is still only a niche player in the global market representing just 0.2% of the total world wine production.

New Zealand exported 58 million litres of wine for the year ending June 2006, which was a 12% increase in volume over the previous year, but an 18% increase in value, which is an indication that New Zealand wines continue to operate in the premium segment of the market. Projections for next year indicate exports will exceed 70 million litres and that there will still be an unfulfilled overseas demand with markets in Asia still largely untapped.

"We have come a long way in short time to achieve international acclaim with our highly distinctive Sauvignon Blanc which has not only spearheaded the growth of New Zealand wines globally but also set the benchmark for this variety," said Chris Yorke, Global Marketing Director, New Zealand Winegrowers.

At present, 72 out of every 100 bottles of New Zealand wine sold overseas are Sauvignon Blancs with Pinot Noir the second most exported variety with exports gaining 55% over the past year, taking over from Chardonnay. Merlot and Cabernet/Merlot blends also continue to expand with international sales growing by up to 26%. In addition, New Zealand's ability to produce aromatic varieties such as Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer is also being quickly discovered.

The increasing popularity of New World wine in Singapore, where imports grew 82% between 2001 and 2005, has reached the level where New World wine imports now account for over 50% more than from the Old World countries.

According to a wine research report recently commissioned by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the current trend in Singapore for New World wines is the result of the taste preferences of local consumers as well as the ease of understanding labels and varieties.

"With expectations of market growth for wine of between 10%-30% per annum over the next 3-5 years, along with its position as a re-export hub for wines into Southeast Asia, Singapore will increasingly become an important platform for New Zealand to launch their premium wines into this region," said Alex Matheson, New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Singapore.

Source: WFA 2006 Media Release