Friday, 23 January 2015 12:57

Sauvignon Blanc to be the star

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Sauvignon blanc grapes. Image by Nathan Boltseridge Sauvignon blanc grapes. Image by Nathan Boltseridge

Sauvignon Blanc is the varietal that kicked off the New Zealand wine industry and now planning is underway for a new event aimed at shining a spotlight on the variety.

 The event, planned for February 2016 in Marlborough, will be the first International Sauvignon Blanc Celebration (ISBC). Accounting for 85% of wine exported from New Zealand, the world seems to have an insatiable thirst for Sauvignon Blanc according to the event organisers and they hope that the event will highlight the special features of this particular wine.

"Sauvignon Blanc is a pure expression of terroir, and New Zealand has set the international benchmark for the wine style," says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.

"The International Sauvignon Blanc Celebration is an opportunity for the world of wine to come together in New Zealand - to learn about, discuss and taste some of the world's leading examples."

The event will feature speakers from an array of sectors including science, entertainment, hospitality, journalism and also fellow Sauvignon Blanc producers from around the world, providing guests with a compelling range of perspectives and opinions about Sauvignon Blanc.

"We are excited to be hosting a global event in Marlborough, New Zealand," says Patrick Materman, chairman of the ISBC committee and chief winemaker of Pernod Ricard Winemakers NZ.

"It is an event which will reveal a lot about Sauvignon Blanc and demonstrate its diversity and complexity".

The International Sauvignon Blanc Celebration will be held on February 1 – 3, 2016 in Marlborough, New Zealand.

More information on the event, including how to register, will be announced soon.

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