Cheaper wines become popular in tough times

Despite hard times, New Zealanders are still enjoying a bottle of wine. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Kiwis are buying cheaper wine and enjoying the fancy stuff less because of the hard economic times.

The Kiwi Wine Habits survey shows almost half of those surveyed are watching how much they spend and admit that the recession has changed their buying habits.

Over half - 67.7 per cent - of the 1700 people surveyed said they typically spent $11 to $20 on a bottle of wine when entertaining at home, while 0.2 per cent said they were willing to fork out between $51 and $100 on a bottle when entertaining guests.

Director of Liquorland Top 100 Belinda Jackson says the results show people are still enjoying a glass, even during tight times.

"The fact New Zealanders are still enjoying wine several times a week, but selecting wines with a lower price point, indicates more people are opting for a cheap night in with a bottle of wine, rather than splurging on a big night out."

Ms Jackson said that while the price consumers were ready to spend on wine was decreasing, people were still choosing to drink wine on a regular basis because it was part of the New Zealand lifestyle.

The majority of those surveyed said they drank wine two to three times a week, while 13.3 per cent said they had a glass every day.

"For those consumers tightening purse strings but still wanting to enjoy quality wine, there are plenty of excellent local and international wines available at affordable prices," Ms Jackson said.

How people viewed various types of wine was also revealed, with the majority choosing champagne as the least masculine drink but the sexiest wine.

Other spending habits were also shown when respondents were asked how much they spent on a bottle of wine.

Just over 26 per cent of people answered the most they had spent was between $21 and $30.

Up to 17.5 per cent of people said they had spent $51 to $100, while 7.5 per cent said they had spent between $101 and $200.

Only 3.8 per cent admitted the most they had spent was $200 plus.

The Liquorland Top 100 is New Zealand's largest commercial wine competition, and has been running for the past 16 years.

Up to 21 judges tested around 1500 entries in Marlborough last week, with the 100 hand-picked wines to be announced on October 2.

SURVEY RESULTS

Which wine is the least masculine?
Champagne.

Is a female more attractive if she is drinking beer or wine?
Wine.

When is cask wine appropriate?
Never.

What drink is the sexiest?
Champagne.

Would you judge a person who brought a cheap bottle of wine to a first date?
No.