Aussie wine industry slams NZ's sauvignon blanc

[matt]

New Zealanders make a lot of crappy stuff, so no surprises here. I am an avid wine drinker, I drink at least a glass a day.

I will never touch NZ Wine.

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Australian wine industry slams NZ's sauvignon blanc

By Paul Harper
Monday Feb 4, 2013

NEW ZEALAND HERALD

The Australian wine industry has hit out at New Zealand's sauvignon blanc, with one Aussie wine-maker labelling popular Kiwi sav "the McDonald's of wines".

Wine Australia last month called for Aussie wine drinkers to "ditch that Sav Blanc from across the Tasman in favour of a top local drop" for Australia Day, while a Sydney Morning Herald article over the weekend featured several winemakers rallying against New Zealand's hugely popular product.

James Agnew, who has a family-run vineyard in NSW's Hunter Valley and is the former chair of the NSW Wine Strategy, told the paper New Zealand's savs are "the McDonald's of wines".

"You can go all over the world but a Big Mac is still a Big Mac," he said.

Sampling a glass of Australia's top selling white wine, an Oyster Bay sauvignon blanc, Hunter Valley wine-maker Bruce Tyrrell told SMH's Rick Feneley it tasted of "passionfruit ... body odour ... cat's pee ... lantana".

Stuart Gregor, from Liquid Ideas PR agency, used to promote Marlborough's Montana and Stoneleigh wines, but now describes Kiwi sav as a "one trick pony", while others in the Australian wine industry interviewed by the SMH labelled New Zealand's savs as "one-dimensional" and "generic".

Their comments, however, may just be sour grapes.

In 2009, New Zealand sauvignon blanc overtook chardonnay as the top selling white wine in Australia, with Kiwi sav now accounting for 39 percent of the white wine sold across the Tasman.

Of the 20 top-selling sauvignon blancs, 17 are from New Zealand, while only three are Australian.

To counter the Kiwi invasion, Wine Australia last year launched Aussie Wine Month, urging Australians to opt for local brands for the month of April.

New Zealand Wine chief executive Philip Gregan is confident Australians will continue to enjoy Kiwi savs.

"New Zealand sauvignon blanc has been incredibly successful over the past two decades. It's been successful because it is very good and it is very distinctive."

Mr Gregan said the negative comments from within the Australian wine industry in the SMH article were "unfortunate".

"That's not the response that we have from most people in the trade in Australia, consumers in Australia and anywhere else. The wine is appreciated for what it is, and it is very, very good," he said.

"I don't know what motivates people - perhaps it is commercial jealousy, I don't know."

Mr Gregan believed demand would continue to grow, not just in Australia, but in newer markets such as China and parts of continental Europe.

"Demand for New Zealand sauvignon blanc continues to grow around the world, that's the reality of the situation," he said.

"We haven't seen anything to indicate that the love affair with Marlborough sauvignon blanc is declining in any way."

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10863332

[jody]

Well you don't know what you're missing Matt. NZ wine is very good. Especially Cloudy Bay.

[matt]

I will say NZ chocolate is good.

[jody]

chocolate is ok...nothign special but fruit, veg, beef and lamb is better than Australia. Probably because of the high rain fall and stock s fed grass, rather than grain. They are on a proper diet.

[garfield]

I hate wine, it tastes like squashed grapes.

[Deleted]

People such as my good self who appreciate wines in moderation are going for the organic wines that are without the sulfates and preservatives..and there are some really nice Aussie products out there.

NZ and in particular Marlborough's wine region have issues with birds eating the grapes, and heavily use cannons to scare birds off, creating a nightmare for people who live near vineyards....environmental vandals, on that ground alone is good reason not to buy.

NZ grows very good asparagus....asparagus wine would perhaps suit Garfie's palate ....most likey Bundy and Coke.

[Deleted]

Ten reasons why we're better than Australia

COLIN ESPINER: BULL DUST!

STUFF - Fairfax NZ | 1:23PM - Tuesday, 05 February 2013



WE'VE always being told the grass is greener across The Ditch. The sky's always blue, the sun always shines, you'll earn more money and have more fun.

We're also constantly told that thousands of Kiwis leave our shores every year searching for a better life in Australia. What we don't hear about so often is that many of those come back again.

I was one of them.

Don't get me wrong — Australia is a fantastic country. I loved living there. It's a huge, wealthy, beautiful, warm and yes, good fun.

After two years working in Sydney my partner and I did a four-month road trip across the sunburnt continent. It was one of the best things I've ever done.

I wrote a blog about our experience, and called it Bull Dust, after the ubiquitous red Aussie dust that gets under your nails, into your clothes and under your skin. I kept the name for my new blog here on STUFF.

But the very best thing about being a Kiwi in Australia is not having to decide whether or not to live there forever (the worst thing is homesickness and getting teased about your accent). Unlike most nationalities, we get to pick and choose. To come and go. It's the best of both worlds.

Granted, heading back against the general tide raised a few eyebrows. Many Australians were frankly incredulous that we would pack up and turn our backs on the Lucky Country.

So as we celebrate our national day — or at least what passes for it — here are my 10 reasons why New Zealand is a better place to live than Australia.

1. We're more friendly. Everyone comments on this. It starts the moment you get off the plane, and continues every time you walk into a store, sit down for a coffee, or pass someone on the street. In Sydney, you don't acknowledge anyone you might meet unless you already know them. Even smiling at a stranger is considered odd. Here, you're practically smothered with affection.

2. Small is beautiful. Australia is every bit as beautiful as New Zealand. It's just a shame you have to travel thousands of kilometres between sights. Take it from someone who drove 23,000kms in four months — and that was only between Sydney and Perth. Here, you only have to pop round the corner for the scenery to change.

3. Our houses are cheaper. OK, there are people in some Auckland suburbs who may disagree with this, but for the most part, it's cheaper to buy a home here than it is in Australia. Sydney is unbelievably expensive. Anyone who isn't a millionaire or a major CEO can't afford to buy an actual house unless it's some 80km west of the CBD. And forget about a garden unless you earn well into six figures.

4. Our food and drink is better. Yes, a big call I know. Australia markets itself very effectively as a gourmand's paradise. But for my money, our produce is fresher, our meat tastier, our ice cream creamier and our fish, er, fishier. If you're a beer connoisseur you'll be sadly disappointed in Australia unless you're a fan of freezing cold, mass-produced lager. Granted, they make a decent drop of red, but their white wine is rubbish. And we've got way better lollies.

5. We love our indigenous culture. You've got to leave New Zealand to fully appreciate this, but our Maori heritage is an immense asset. I'm as white as the driven snow, but I treasure what Maoridom and Pacific Island culture has done for New Zealand. It makes us proud, strong, independent, and interesting. By contrast white Australia all but ignores its Aboriginal roots.

6. We're not so uptight. Big-city Australians are wound as tight as watch springs. Out in the bush it's better, but Kiwis are world-beaters at laconic, she'll be right laid-backness. And she normally is right. No point having a heart attack, is there?

7. We're more entrepreneurial. Australia may have a bigger economy, but we're lighter on our feet. Because we have a small, educated, enthusiastic population of early adopters, New Zealand is a great place to start a business, further your career, or do something different from the herd. And because there's only 4.5 million of us, it's easier for our voice to be heard. Hardly surprising that we've invented so much more stuff than the Aussies ever have.

8. There's fewer things that can hurt or kill you. Don't underestimate this. Australia is home to all ten species of the world's most poisonous snakes. Then there's spiders the size of your hand, sharks cruising the beaches, scorpions, sting-rays … oh yes, and the world's most dangerous reptile, the crocodile. We've got, um, stinging nettle. And wekas can give you a nasty peck.

9. Our TV's better. Hard to believe, I know, but it's true. We may all grumble about the box, but Aussie television is truly dire. Between The Block, The Project, Bondi Vet and Border Patrol, there's Lara Bingle!, The Shire, and re-runs of Prisoner. It's just a shame they export most of those shows over here. Next to this lot, Seven Sharp looks like hard-hitting current affairs. Plus, we've got John Campbell.

10. The weather. Australia's either too hot, too cold, or too wet. Thanks to climate change, Sydney alternates between floods and bush fires. Queensland suffers increasingly volatile storms. The Outback and Western Australia simply fries. We enjoy a temperate climate with plenty of sunshine and rain.

Well there's my top ten. What have I missed? Who else has headed across the Ditch but came home again? Who's reading this in Australia and would love to come home? What's stopping you?

I sometimes think all Kiwis should leave New Zealand at least once. Only then will they know what they're missing.

Happy Waitangi Day, everyone.

www.stuff.co.nz/national/blogs/bull-dust/8264842/Ten-reasons-why-we-re-better-than-Australia

[matt]

Enjoying my first red for the night.

[Deleted]

Perhaps the bloke in the above post should have bothered to cross the Murray and spend some time in Victoria then, eh Kiwi ?
Best beer, Best footy, The River Boats, oh and the best City ;D

[matt]

Australian beer is second rate.

[Deleted]

Feb 5, 2013 18:52:04 GMT 10 @matt said:

Australian beer is second rate.

Spoken by someone who has never drunk Coopers (which is from Adelaide, btw)

[jody]

KTJ, believe me when I say, you're not better than us and this competition is silly. I love NZ very much but I also love Australia very much.....we have what you have but you don't have what we have. Australia is faaaaar older than NZ.....our Alps were once far bigger than the southern alps can even dream to be. We had far more volcano's etc etc. We have superb coasts lines, some of the best in the world with the incredible outback....not to mention the Great Barrier Reef.
If NZ had it all, why do so many move to Australia, why do so many move here every year?
As for your TV? Ummmm NO, kiwi tv is as boring as batshit.
Your houses and land isn't that cheap. I have looked at real estates whilst in NZ and the prices for some properties are as bad as Sydney.
Your indigenous culture does at least have more respect.
Your food is better and perhaps even your beer but while your wines are very nice, they are not quite to the standard of ours yet.
Australians are known world wide for being the friendliest country. In all honesty, Auckland sucks....the attitudes from kiwi's at the airport is atrocious. Wellington's could also do with an overhaul. Having travelled both islands, the south island is far superior in all things. Scenery, food, attitude, things to do are all better in the south....and I will say that the smaller the towns, the friendlier they are....same as in Australia.
Yes you have nothing poisonous lurking in the bush....I do love that fact.
Both countries have a lot to offer and the rivalry is dumb.

[Deleted]

If I woz a skiar and not a sorfer NZ wood be an attrictive place to live ay bro....also its too noisy, and there is no organic wines to mention....hopefully later this year will have a squizzy at the joint..
provided one can buy aussie wine and beer..

[Deleted]

I've always thought that Victoria should secede and become an independent republic

[Deleted]

Victoria, Australia's true home of Australian Liberalism, as well as the progressive left.

[jody]

lol...yes the mexicans should become a republic of their own.

[Deleted]

You need us Jody, to keep, the collective IQ at a respectable level.

[jody]

hmmmm, if you say so.

[matt]

Feb 5, 2013 18:54:56 GMT 10 huntergibson said:

Feb 5, 2013 18:52:04 GMT 10 @matt said:

Australian beer is second rate.

Spoken by someone who has never drunk Coopers (which is from Adelaide, btw)

Coopers is full of preservatives.

[Deleted]

Feb 5, 2013 20:18:45 GMT 10 @matt said:

Feb 5, 2013 18:54:56 GMT 10 huntergibson said:

Spoken by someone who has never drunk Coopers (which is from Adelaide, btw)

Coopers is full of preservatives.

No. its not. Try reading the label.
In fact, for once in your life try reading, anything, you might learn something

[matt]

I'm more of a wine drinker

[jody]

Speight's is better than anything Australia brews.

[Deleted]

If were gunna play that Games, Killkennys

[jody]

I am not a beer drinker....the smell usually repulses me so I am going off those who are beer drinkers. If I were going to have a sip of beer, it would be a corona with lemon or lime.

[Deleted]

The Poms/Micks/Scots make the best beer