Hunt expected to keep promoting NZ wine in Europe

Parliament's former Speaker, Jonathan Hunt -- long known affectionately as "Minister of Wine" -- says he will continue his support for the sector in his new job as a diplomat in Europe.

Vavasour Wine executive chairman David Belcher said at the weekend, welcoming Mr Hunt to an industry function in Marlborough , that many people did not know how significant the veteran politician's contributions had been.

He said that Mr Hunt, an MP for 38 years , had been a huge promoter of New Zealand wine for his whole political life, and his role as High Commissioner was a great boost for the industry

In his early days of Parliament, Mr Hunt raised the question of why French wine was served at Bellamy's, Mr Belcher said.

Thanks to his tenacity and belief in New Zealand wine, mostly made in West Auckland then, it pushed French producers off the political menu, never to be seen again.

And Mr Hunt said at the weekend that in his new role as New Zealand's High Commissioner in London, he will continue to ensure New Zealand wine reaches as many palates as possible.

"I won't be having French wine at New Zealand functions," he said.

His message for Marlborough winemakers was that they had a world class brand in sauvignon blanc.

In 1966, when he was first elected as a Labour Party MP, New Zealand's embryonic wine industry was predominantly in the hands of Dalmatian and Lebanese families in Auckland, and Mr Hunt's links were nurtured through friendships with Tom McDonald and Mate Brajkovich.

New Zealand wine is now high on wine lists around the world, and has exports of more than $400 million, up from half a million 20 years ago.

Mr Hunt urged the winemakers at the top of the South Island to encourage public perceptions of the best sauvignon blanc coming from Marlborough, New Zealand. "

The real competition was not between individual wineries in the region, such as Wither Hills, Vavasour and Montana but Marlborough versus Napa Valley versus South Australia versus Chile, he said.

Marlborough also had to concentrate on its flagship variety, he said. "This is a unique type of grape that is at the moment very well regarded," he said. "You start off where you are strong and try to get stronger. Anything else is a bonus. "

Mr Belcher agreed, saying there were only three areas in the world associated with a variety: Champagne, Coonawarra for shiraz and Marlborough for sauvignon blanc.

- NZPA