Trade talk: What’s next for New Zealand?

Sauvignon Blanc might be the darling of New Zealand, but this rugged winemaking region is far from a one trick pony. True, the aromatic variety accounted for 72.2 per cent of the country’s total harvest in 2014 and 85.5 per cent of its exports, (New Zealand Winegrowers 2014 annual report), but this southern hemisphere outpost has far more to offer than Marlborough Sauvignon. Having established a stellar reputation for the variety on the world stage, its premium heartland of Marlborough is now almost completely planted – which begs the question of which regions and varieties will producers now choose to invest in?