Wine Wars(2)
Oscar Foulkes
New Zealand
New Zealander Michael Daymond King remembers as a teenager wooing his now wife with the "promise of a walk through my cellar." After decades in financial services in 1992, the couple concentrated on wine and specifically Hatton Estate, and a new company Vindico Négociants Limited which exports New Zealand wines primarily to Asia and the UK.
What's distinctive about New Zealand wine?
New Zealand wines have a purity of fruit flavor not found in other countries' wines. I think weather and soil combination play a big part in this - this leads to fantastic fruit expression, which?makes wines well suited to modern food,?especially Asian cuisines.
Why is the profile of New Zealand wine comparatively weak in China??
The profile of New Zealand wine is strong in its traditional markets such as the UK, Australia, and the US.?In these countries we punch well above our weight.?The main reason we're comparatively weak in Asia is that until recently we have not had the volume?available to export outside our traditional?markets. Our wine marketers are now beginning to concentrate on Asia, especially China.
What's your favorite wine??
Sitting on the veranda with a seafood salad nothing is better than a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc; if we are having some beef or lamb on the barbecue then it would be a Hawkes Bay Merlot blend.
What's your favorite non-New Zealand wine?
A toss up between French wines Chateau Margaux 2000, or a 1978 Hermitage La Chappelle from Jaboulet.
What's surprised you about the Chinese wine market?
The speed of growth and the openness to learn about new wines.
Why should the Chinese drink New Zealand wine?
It comes back to the wine taste and experience; you can taste the sunshine and the rain, the freshness in our wines. Our wines are very accessible. Also New Zealand wines represent extraordinary value for money.
