Solid recovery after recession-battering for NZ wines in export market, says Marlborough leader

New Zealand has begun to see a solid recovery in export markets as the northern hemisphere summer comes to a close and the Christmas period comes into focus, according to a leading New Zealand wine expert Blair Gibbs.

Wine companies were cautiously optimistic for another good growing season.

``Predictions of further yield reductions through grape growers and wine companies working closely together to meet demand will see further quality gains especially enhance Marlborough’s world class reputation,’’ said Blair Gibbs, who is the head of New Zealand’s biggest wine region, Wine Marlborough.

Globally there are opportunities in new markets and many pockets of the global market are begin to fire by buying across the board. The UK which is NZ’s traditional market has begun its recovery but New Zealand will need to work hard to promote its brand again.

For the first time ever Marlborough sauvignon was purchased through the UK’s biggest discounter at three bottles for 10 pounds during the height of the recession. The level of bulk exports to the UK was staggeringly high and New Zealand’s market position which took 30 years to build was eroded in the year.

Gibbs has been in charge of the Spy Valley label for 10 years. Spy Valley got its name because it is sited close to the US spy satellite monitoring base in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley. Spy Valley produces more than 150,000 cases of wine a year in its state of the art winery and is one of New Zealand’s leading family-owned wine companies.

``The market is recovering after a huge amount of pressure. There are brands that have suffered, while some have succeeded. Spy Valley is growing and we’ll soon see our label in Air New Zealand business class which is great for the brand.’’

The 2009 wines are being blended, bottled and released over the next six weeks. Frost fighting is underway with early blocks of chardonnay and pinot noir showing leaf as a result of the exceptionally warm August which is two weeks earlier than they might like, Gibbs said.

``This can be a somewhat noisy period in the vineyard with pre-dawn temperatures forcing viticulturists to fire up the frost fans and others to call in the helicopters. It’s only for a short time and it’s very critical the vines get off to a good start.

``Spy Valley’s hugely successful sparkling wine, Echelon, which has been sadly out of stock for the last 8 months is about to be re released in November., in time for the summer season.

``Additional labour availability and the increased use of mechanised pruning applications have ensured Marlborough’s vines are all pruned and ready to begin the annual season.’’