New Zealand Sauvignon and Pinot

The U.S. continues to display a major thirst for New Zealand sauvignon blanc. During the past year, this variety represented 87% of the New Zealand wine shipped to the U.S. by volume, with pinot noir in second place, accounting for 7%. (Shipments of New Zealand wine to the U.S. are up about 20% over the past year, a much better performance than most other countries can claim.)

Marlborough sauvignon, which accounts for nearly 90% of New Zealand’s production of this variety, has indeed become a hugely successful international brand, with all the pluses and minuses that entails. On the positive side, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a few good examples in any serious wine shop or wine-savvy restaurant.