First-Time Presence for NZ Wine at Vinexpo Asia Pacific

MEDIA RELEASE
27 April 2012

First-Time Presence for New Zealand Wine at Vinexpo Asia Pacific 2012

New Zealand will present its largest ever showcase of premium wines in Hong Kong at Vinexpo Asia Pacific in May this year.

The first-ever Vinexpo Asia Pacific New Zealand Wine Pavilion will feature 20 wineries pouring 120 wines from the country’s leading wine growing regions, a reflection of the strong growth of New Zealand wine exports to Hong Kong, mainland China and the greater Asia region.

Co-sponsored by the New Zealand government, the Vinexpo New Zealand Wine Pavilion also heralds a new strategic partnership between the national economic development agency, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) and the national wine industry body, New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW).

"Over the next few years, NZTE will be working with New Zealand Winegrowers and high growth wine companies to ramp up exports of premium New Zealand wines to China. Building recognition of the New Zealand Wine brand and attracting the attention of influencers in the Chinese wine industry will be a key factor in success of this project”, says NZTE’s Wine Programme Manager, Karyn Murray.

“Vinexpo Asia Pacific offers the perfect opportunity to showcase the diversity of New Zealand’s wines to the large number of media, buyers and educators that attend the show”.

Vinexpo Asia Pacific is the last stop of a three-city New Zealand wine China roadshow that includes New Zealand wine events in Beijing and Shanghai. New Zealand Winegrowers' March 2012 export statistics show a 53% growth in New Zealand wine exports to mainland China in the last 12 months, with exports to Hong Kong growing 16% over the same period.

“We’re pleased to see strong growth for New Zealand wine at price points that reflect our premium positioning”, says Monty James, New Zealand Winegrowers’ Market Manager Asia.

“We also understand that with continued growth comes increased commitment and time in market.”

In a further coup for New Zealand wine, the world’s most celebrated sommelier, Gerard Basset MW MS will join Bob Campbell MW to host a key trade Tasting Lab session at Vinexpo Asia Pacific 2012. Titled “The regional complexities of New Zealand Pinot Noir”, the session will showcase some of the country’s most exceptional Pinot Noir by region.

The 72sqm New Zealand Pavilion is located at Stand Number AB 74, next to Vinexpo Entrance D.

-ENDS-
Editor's Notes:

New Zealand Wine Brands Exhibiting at Vinexpo Asia Pacific 2012

Wine Producer Region

Ara Wines Marlborough
Babich Wines Multiregional
Constellation New Zealand Multiregional
Coopers Creek Vineyard Multiregional
Craggy Range Hawke’s Bay
Distant Land Vintners Marlborough
Fairbourne Estate Wines Marlborough
Giesen Wines Marlborough
Greystone Wines Waipara Valley
Matahiwi Estate Wairarapa
Misha's Vineyard Wines Ltd Central Otago
Mission Estate Winery Hawke’s Bay
O:TU Marlborough
Pernod Ricard New Zealand Marlborough
Staete Landt Vineyard Marlborough
Surveyor Thomson Wines Ltd Central Otago
Te Mania & Richmond Plains Nelson
Villa Maria Estate Multiregional
VINULTRA Ltd Marlborough
Waimea Estates Nelson

Websites:

www.nzwine.com Official website for NZ grape & wine industry
www.nzte.govt.nz New Zealand’s economic development agency

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