Record Numbers for Wine New Zealand

Record Numbers for Wine New Zealand

This year’s Wine New Zealand exhibition (24th-26th August) saw a record 2,476 visitors (up 12% on 2002) sample New Zealand wines from the largest ever number of exhibiting wineries, at 147 wineries (up 16%).

“Now in its sixth year, Wine New Zealand has continued its impressive track record as New Zealand’s greatest wine experience and an unrivalled sampling forum for trade and public. The record number of exhibiting wineries in a small vintage year is testament to the long-term vision and commitment of the industry,” commented Anne-Marie McKenzie, Marketing Manager at New Zealand Winegrowers, the industry body responsible for organising Wine New Zealand in conjunction Kathie Bartley Marketing and exhibition company dmg world media.

In addition to the New Zealand trade and public visitors, buyers also came from as far a field as Japan and Canada. Leading wine writers Bruce Schoenfeld (Wine Spectator) and Rob Ingram (Wine Magazine) also travelled from the USA and Australia respectively to attend.

On the public day (Sunday 24th), visitors had the opportunity to attend a fascinating seminar on wine and cheese matching by Bob Campbell MW and French cheese maker, Franck Beaurain from Puhoi Valley cheese. Bob also lead an informative seminar on “What’s New on the Wine Scene” with a panel of some of New Zealand’s most adventurous winemakers (Alan McCorkindale, Gordon Russell, Hans Herzog, James Millton, John Hancock and Nicholas Buck).

An intriguing insight into the developments with New Zealand red wine was provided to a sell out trade audience on Tuesday 26th at ‘The Rise of Reds” seminar by Rod MacDonald (Vidal Estate) and Brent Marris (Wither Hills Winery). This was followed by an engrossing overview of consumption trends within the USA by contributing editor to Wine Spectator, Bruce Schoenfeld. Wine New Zealand is part of National Hospitality, which also comprises the Culinary Fare, The Telecom Business Seminar Series and the Hospitality Show.

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