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News
Australia and New Zealand team up on UK trade tasting in 2025
Wine Australia and New Zealand Winegrowers will be teaming up to run their annual UK trade tastings together in London on 30 January and Edinburgh on 4 February 2025.
Taking place at Lindley Hall at The Royal Horticultural Halls in London and The Balmoral in Edinburgh, the Australia and New Zealand Trade Tasting will connect wineries and importers with trade and media from across the UK and Europe.
New Zealand Winegrowers’ annual trade tasting has been running since 1982 and Wine Australia’s since 1986, and this will be the first time that the two national associations have come together to run the event.
Previous events
The collaboration follows a successful Australia and New Zealand masterclass in Manchester in June 2024, and trade and consumer tastings in Copenhagen and Stockholm in October 2023.
Mark Stephenson, director at retailer Grape and Grain, said the event in Manchester was a fantastic initiative: “Wine Australia and New Zealand Winegrowers joining forces is great news for the trade.
“It was an absolute delight tasting wines from both countries under one roof in Manchester. There’s synergy between the two countries, the wines are complementary, and it helps buyers juggle busy schedules.”
Informative
Wine writer and educator Jane Clare, of One Foot in the Grapes, who travelled from Liverpool to Manchester for the masterclass, echoed this sentiment.
She said: “It was a brilliant day and very informative, one of the best tastings I’ve been to. Thanks for teaming up and providing a double dose of the southern hemisphere. I look forward to more Australian and New Zealand collaborations.”
Laura Jewell MW, Wine Australia regional general manager UK/EMEA, said the UK is a key market for Australian and New Zealand wine and highlighted the camaraderie between the producers: “The Aussies and Kiwis are good mates, and we have lots of things in common. Fine wine, great food, stunning scenery, the cool Southern Ocean and a friendly laid-back attitude.
“The tasting will showcase Australia and New Zealand’s distinctive terroirs, vibrant winemaking communities and thrilling wines.”
Wider portfolio
Chris Stroud, New Zealand Winegrowers market manager – Europe, said he was very pleased to be teaming up with Wine Australia again: “Our trade tastings were a week apart and in the same venue in 2024.
“Teaming up enables importers to showcase a wider portfolio at one event, and it helps buyers, retailers and sommeliers get the most out of a day away from their business. Guests travel from across the UK and Europe, so it’s cost- effective, time-efficient, and offers greater exploration of the southern hemisphere.”
Registration opens soon for Australian and New Zealand wineries, and importers, distributors and agents in the UK. Full and half tables are available, and they can feature both Australian and New Zealand wines.