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Wine exports in New Zealand have reached a new record with wine export revenues increasing 16% to NZ$766 million in the year to March 2008, according to New Zealand Winegrowers. This was up from NZ$661 million in the last year.
‘The continuing growth of wine exports is very satisfying and reflects strong demand for New Zealand wines in new and existing global markets’ commented Philip Gregan, Chief Executive Officer of New Zealand Winegrowers. ‘Our on-going market success reflects our status as world class producer of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a range of other styles.”
“Export growth for the year to March was constrained by supply shortages of key varieties which restricted export volumes and the high value of the New Zealand dollar, which impacted export returns.’
Over the past decade wine export volumes have risen at an annual growth rate of 19% per annum and 26% per annum for the last five years.
Mr Gregan said continued export growth is expected. ‘In our key markets, such as the UK, Australia, USA and Canada, there is strong and rising demand for our wines. The increased volumes of wine expected from vintage 2008 will help satisfy this demand and will enable new and developing markets such as Asia to be developed. In addition the superb summer weather should ensure the new vintage delivers excellent wines into the market which will add further to our international reputation.”
“This combination of continued strong demand and a quality, increased vintage means we are on track to reach our export goal of $1 billion by 2010,” said Mr Gregan.
View video of New Zealand Pinot Noir 2004

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South Africa is increasingly making better wines which usually represent good value for money at all levels on the quality scale. Although South Africa is classed as a 'new world' region, wines it produces are often nicely positioned between the new world and old world styles. Look out for reds from South Africa's 'own' variety, Pinotage, which makes striking gamey and earthy-tasting wines, often with a savoury, cheesy edge to them. The most famous regions are Stellenbosch, Paarl and Constantia, although cooler regions such as Walker Bay are beginning to attract attention.
South African wine has returned to the world arena with significant impact, growing from some 50-million litres exported that year to topping 139-million in 2000, representing more than 25% of good wine production.

Cape wine is reaching even more consumers in more countries. According to the latest figures from the generic exporter association Wosa, or Wines of South Africa, international sales for 2001 increased 17.8% compared with 2000, despite the global recession.
Internationally, the industry is small, ranking 16th with about 1.5% of global plantings, but production, at seventh position, accounts for 3% of the world's wine.

As in most established wine-producing countries, new plantings are taking place at a pace and new varieties of wine grapes as well as new regions are being explored as the country finds itself at the frontline of modern market requirements.

Of the 105 566 hectares under wine grapevines (compared with 98 203 hectares in 1997), according to the latest official statistics, 21.38% is chenin blanc - by far still the country's most widely planted variety. Sultana (11.28%), a grape that is also used for non-alcohol purposes, is next, followed by colombard and chardonnay.
Cabernet sauvignon comprises the majority of red varieties (a mere 8.36% of total vineyard plantings) in present vineyards, followed by pinotage and shiraz.
White varieties still represent more than two-thirds of the total, but this has moved from an imbalance of 15% red and 85% white in 1990. In 2000 more than 80% of all new plantings were red, with shiraz, cabernet and merlot at the top of the list. At the same time, 87% of all vines uprooted were white, mostly chenin blanc, white French and colombard.
There is a shift from chardonnay to sauvignon blanc, a varietal which lends itself to a larger range of styles and quality levels.
The South African wine industry looks set to have yet another good year ahead. Harvest estimations show that 2008 will be, for the third consecutive year, unexpectedly prosperous.
The 2008 harvest is three quarters complete. Some areas in the Western Cape have had problems due to too much rain, however, a yield of over 1.3 million tons is expected.

Two consecutive drought years in Italy and Australia have created several opportunities for the local market. South African wines are doing well, especially in the middle and high price categories.
Exports are 16% up from last year, and unexpected new markets have the local winemakers excited.

Inset costs, however, increase sharply every year. This, combined with rising petrol prices, make it harder for the industry to sustain growth. But with the current weak rand and the high demand for local wines, many farmers are still assured of a profit.
So get ready for a wonderful year ahead of South African wine 2008.
View video of a South African Harvest 2008

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Chilean winemakers have five centuries of wine-making experience behind them,so it's no wonder that they are harvesting the rewards of hard work, a beautiful climate, great soils and perseverance in the wide - and growing - scope of their wines.

By the early 1800s, the wines from Chile were proving such a competition for Spanish export wines that the Spanish crown ordered heavy taxes and restrictions followed by acres of vineyards destroyed.

In the 1940's, Chilean wines grew in popularity, then faded a little with governmental restriction on production and the nationalization of many wineries. In the 1980's, Chilean wines again hit the worldwide market, becoming an inexpensive way to enjoy wine. While some were not as good as others, the wines caught the eye of many French and American winemakers such as Spain's Miguel Torres, France's Baron de Rothschild and Chateau Lafite, and the U.S.'s Robert Mondavi among others, and today, with foreign capital and joint ventures, Chile's wines are reaching an ever wider and more demanding audience.

Chile's wine producing areas stretch through the narrow central valleys from north of Santiago to Concepción in the south. For years, the main concentration of vineyards was in the Maipo valley, but recently, the region south to Bío Bío sees more vines.

When you visit Santiago, no doubt you'll tour the nearby winery of Concha y Toro founded in 1883 and promoted as one of the oldest and the biggest winery in Chile. It exports, under various labels, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc y Semillón to over 70 countries.
Some of the wonderful varieties of Chilean wine include Riesling, Semillón, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Carmenère, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Verdot, Viogner, Gewürztraminer,Chenin Blanc and others.

Next time you're serving wine, either alone or with food, try one of these fine Chilean wines. Or even better go to Basque Tapas and Wine in Chapel st, Windsor Melbourne and try their new Chilean wine menu.
Click here to view video of Basque Tapas and Wine restaurant.

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