The UK publication ‘Drinks Business’ reports New Zealand Winegrowers’ boss in UK and Europe saying British consumers are showing no signs of sauvignon fatigue.

It quoted David Cox at New Zealand Winegrowers’ annual UK tasting recently that despite the event’s focus on grüner veltliner and pinot noir, as well as Bordeaux blends, chardonnay and riesling, sauvignon blanc is still very popular.

He said this one grape variety now accounts for 84 per cent of all New Zealand wine sold in British retail, followed by pinot noir with just under 6 per cent.

Cox is urging the restaurant sector to consider a broader selection of New Zealand sauvignon blanc to reflect the range of price points and styles – and success of the category in the off-trade – while stressing the emergence of sparkling sauvignon, which he said was designed to combine consumers’ “love of sauvignon with their love of fizz”.

He told the publication that unusually cold conditions during flowering last year in Marlborough and Nelson mean “we may be down in supply.”

However, he said the weather has improved, causing New Zealand Winegrowers to revise their prediction of a 20-25 per cent reduction in grape tonnage for this year.

“Our last vintage averaged 9.2 tonnes per hectare and there will probably be a drop to less than 9 or possible 8 tons per hectare,” he said.