Pinot Gris Made Great Success in China

Move over sauvignon blanc, pinot gris is the new star on the rise, says Rabobank's Global Focus on wine. 

The Spring 2008 report on New Zealand wine supply highlighted the rise of pinot gris and its success in consumer markets, especially in China.

The report by Rabobank senior analyst Adam Morris explains what happened in the wine industry in 2008 and how the industry is testing new limits. It said New Zealand had proven it could grow pinot gris, now a suitable alternative to sauvignon blanc.

"Demand for pinot gris has surged, with sales volumes spiking over 100 percent in some major export markets," the report said.

Due to lifestyle shifts, consumers are switching towards lighter, fresh wine styles best suited to daytime, alfresco drinking. Mr Morris said pinot gris was a great lead into the Chinese cities as it was food friendly, premium priced and had a great reputation.

"Global demand for New Zealand pinot gris far exceeds the area under vine in the national vineyard."

Rabobank and New Zealand Winegrowers predicted more than 5000 hectares of land would be under the pinot gris vine by 2016.

Mr Morris said while the hotel, restaurant and catering sector had seen a fall in wine sales, consumers were spending more on a bottle of wine in the supermarket to compensate for not going out for a meal. He said the bigger crop and its side effects, such as lowered spot market prices, should see more growers enter into supply contracts next season.

"New Zealand wine on the whole continues to defy the pressures felt by nearly every other major wine-producing nation."

He said to date the global demand for New Zealand wine was largely unsatisfied but that did not mean there were not challenges, such as winery infrastructure, which had to be addressed.