New Zealand wine sales rise in US for 16th year

Sales of New Zealand wine in the United States have risen for the sixteenth consecutive year. This trend is seen as a positive sign in an otherwise declining market for imported wines, according to New Zealand Winegrowers. The report highlights that New Zealand wines stand out, especially amidst concerns of potential tariffs on alcoholic drinks from the European Union. Fabian Yukich, a director at New Zealand Winegrowers, called the sales increase promising. He mentioned that the news could encourage businesses to order more New Zealand wine, especially as the global market shifts towards aromatic white wines, like Sauvignon Blanc. New Zealand produces less than 2% of the world's wine but is known for its unique flavors. Despite the growing sales, retailers in the US are slow to restock New Zealand wines. This temporary slowdown in restocking may affect short-term sales. However, Yukich remains optimistic about the long-term outlook as sales of wines from other countries are decreasing. Harvesting for this year's Sauvignon Blanc has started. Some Marlborough growers have been advised to leave portions of their crop unpicked due to overproduction in recent years. Yukich noted that while this is disappointing for local growers, the long-term future for New Zealand wine looks bright.