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New Zealand to celebrate Sauvignon Blanc at 35th annual London tasting

Published:  08 January, 2016

The 35th New Zealand Annual Trade Tasting, to be held in London on January 18, will be a celebration of Sauvignon Blanc, the country's signature varietal.

Over 500 wines from some 90 producers will be available to taste at the event, which is the world's largest international tasting of New Zealand wines.

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is currently the UK's leading grape variety with an 11% market share, according to sales data from Nielsen for the year to October 10, 2015.

Visitors will also be able to sample a wide range of varieties and style's from the country's disparate wine-producing regions.

Peter McCombie MW will be hosting two masterclasses, one focusing on Sauvignon Blanc and the other exploring award-winning New Zealand wines in a range of different styles from different areas of the country.

Likewise, the event's two self-pour tables will be divided between oak-influenced Sauvignon Blanc and New Zealand's 'Big Reds'.

Chris Stroud, European marketing manager for New Zealand Winegrowers said: "Sauvignon Blanc is New Zealand's main wine export, and with the inaugural International Sauvignon Blanc Celebration being held in Marlborough, New Zealand in February 2016, we wanted to recognise and showcase the incredible diversity within the variety.

"We're also excited to be able to share a range of wines from our stunning 2013 vintage, as well as a number of trophy-winning wines from New Zealand, which have won awards at international competitions in the past year."

Wine is currently New Zealand's sixth biggest export good, and the UK is currently the leading market for New Zealand wine, with volumes up 10% in the latest MAT export figures.

At £7.37, the average bottle price for New Zealand wines in the UK is higher than that for any other wine-producing country. The average bottle price in the UK is £5.46.

To register for the tasting, please click here.

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