One of the attendees to the three-day, two-night "immersive wine experience" - originally intended for 2020 - was Gillian Sciaretta, Corporate Wine Buyer at Gary's Wine & Marketplace, which has stores in New Jersey and California. She shares some insights.
There were more than 80 wines from 10 regions and 18 varieties/styles at the event. How important is it to see the breadth of New Zealand winemaking?
It is extremely important. Right now the American consumer is more open-minded than ever when it comes to selecting wines. By demonstrating that New Zealand has so much to offer when it comes to winemaking styles, grape varieties and terroirs, it allows me as a wine buyer to bring this message forward and help change the consumer's mind as seeing New Zealand being more than just Sauvignon Blanc.
Which masterclasses were a highlight?
I particularly enjoyed the roundtable discussion on sustainability. New Zealand is on the forefront of sustainability when it comes to the full scope of the winemaking process and getting the wine shipped to various markets across the world. This is a topic that is only going to become more important to the American consumer, so being able to discuss what New Zealand is doing better than almost any other country, collectively, is fantastic. I also enjoyed the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Masterclass because these are some of the most in demand varieties for our guests. And with red Burgundy becoming more scarce and expensive, and Oregon and California Pinot Noir being increasingly threatened by fire seasons, there is a growing need for high-end Pinot Noir from other areas. I think this presents a great opportunity for New Zealand Pinot Noir.
What's the appetite for New Zealand wine in the US market?
The New Zealand category in our New Jersey stores is and has been dominated by value-driven Sauvignon Blanc from reliably consistent brands. Consumers are very brand loyal when it comes to their New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. I don't see that slowing down anytime son. But I think there is opportunity to expand that appetite to other categories as the consumer becomes more open-minded. It also takes partnering up with key retailers, like Gary's, who take the time to tell the stories behind the wines, train employees accordingly, and have a trusted relationship with their customers when it comes to new recommendations.
