New Zealand Wine is calling on white wine lovers across the world to celebrate New Zealand white wine this May, as well as continuing the quest to secure the white wine emoji.
The theme of the month, Pour Yourself a Glass of New Zealand, comes at a time when New Zealand’s top three exported white wine varieties are internationally celebrated with International Sauvignon Blanc Day (5 May), International Pinot Gris Day (17 May) and International Chardonnay Day (25 May) all falling in the same month.
“New Zealand white wine makes up 93% of our global exports, and while Sauvignon Blanc represents 86% of our exports, New Zealand also produces other world-class white wine varieties such as Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, “says Charlotte Read, General Manager, New Zealand Winegrowers.
New Zealand’s geographical location and maritime climate provide perfect conditions for growing white grapes and allow for the retention of natural acidity across a wide range of varieties. None of the country’s winegrowing regions are far from the sea, and coupled with long hours of sunshine and often crisp night temperatures it’s the ideal recipe for pure, fresh, delicate white wines.
“This combination of factors, coupled with the industry’s commitment to care for the environment and continually innovate, is what underpins our new positioning statement New Zealand Wine – Altogether Unique,” says Charlotte.
“Across our 10 wine regions, New Zealand produces over 40 varieties of wine. Sauvignon Blanc may have been the first to put New Zealand wine on the map, but New Zealand also excels in the production of an increasing range of styles and varieties - from Chardonnay to Riesling to Albariño, there is a New Zealand white wine to suit every palate.”
In May 2022, New Zealand Wine called on people across the globe to sign the petition for the inclusion of the white wine emoji on global keyboards, and an official request was made to the Unicode Consortium in July. Unfortunately, the request was declined with no explanation as to why, and our keyboards are still devoid of an emoji that has huge support and demand.
It seems to be a common theme. In 2018, the Kiwi Bird emoji was put forward, with the consortium declining that as well.
“When it comes to emojis, it seems to be so hard for the Kiwis. We can’t seem to get our national bird, or our most famous wine export, recognised. It’s almost like the Unicode Consortium has a vendetta against the things that New Zealand is famed for!” Charlotte jokes.
Another attempt will be made to secure the white wine emoji in 2024 when the 2-year grace period ends. In the meantime, the public can express how they feel about the missing white wine emoji at the New Zealand Wine online message board, which will be used to advance the case in 2024.
For more information about the Pour Yourself a Glass of New Zealand campaign, visit the campaign page here.
- ENDS -
Editor Notes:
- New Zealand wine is exported to more than 100 countries and is New Zealand’s sixth largest export good
- New Zealand wine exports for 2022 were $1.95 billion – New Zealand white wine exports at $1.81 billion
- New Zealand white wine media kit available here.
For further information contact:
Juliana Foster
Global PR Manager - New Zealand Winegrowers
027 700 5013