The Sunday Times

The popularity of New Zealand wine has not been lost on Joanna Simon. "Even before the Chancellor slapped another 14p duty on wine in last month's budget, the average price for a bottle of New Zealand wine was 6.26," she says. This is far higher than any other country and second to Australia at 4.40 and the average wine price of 4.01. Her cellar notes include the "smoky and flinty" 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Blind River (10.99, Oddbins) and the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc Malborough Hills (7.49, Majestic) with its "ripe gooseberry flavours".