Kiwi Pinot Noir Searches for a Market

David Allen MW goes through a range of facts and figures illustrating New Zealand Pinot Noir's place on the world stage | © Renée Dale / Wine-Searcher

At the Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025 conference, David Allen MW delivers the data on where New Zealand Pinot Noir stands in the world.

Nat Sellers, Wine-Searcher | 14-Feb-2025

David Allen MW goes through a range of facts and figures illustrating New Zealand Pinot Noir's place on the world stage | © Renée Dale / Wine-Searcher
David Allen MW goes through a range of facts and figures illustrating New Zealand Pinot Noir’s place on the world stage | © Renée Dale / Wine-Searcher

It’s all very well making great Pinot, but what if nobody knows that is what you do?

On day three of the New Zealand Pinot Noir 2025 conference held in Christchurch, Wine-Searcher’s wine director David Allen took to the stage to talk everything data, particularly with respects to the grape’s worldwide reach and the supply and demand within key markets – and particularly how New Zealand Pinot was faring.

Using Wine-Searcher’s vast database of offers and price history broken down by both product, grape and region, Allen was able to extract where New Zealand Pinot Noir is now, with a direct comparison to where it stood eight years ago at the last New Zealand Pinot Noir conference in 2017.

However, before getting to the nitty gritty of New Zealand Pinot Noir, Allen produced some facts to give a general overview of where Wine-Searcher was in its global capture of wine and spirits data.

Today there are currently 14.7 million live offers for wines and spirits listed on Wine-Searcher – compared to the 6.7 million eight years ago. This is partly down to there simply being more products on the market; however, Allen noted, it is also down to Wine-Searcher’s greater ability to collect offers. Technology has simply gotten better.

Making up these 14.7 million offers are more than 850,000 products being listed by 37,500 merchants and auctions across 130 markets.

Every month, Wine-Searcher receives roughly 5 million unique users trawling the site for wine.

How many of those unique users are looking for Pinot Noir? Allen was happy to provide the answers.

In 2016, there were 12.8 million searches for Pinot Noir wines within 122 million wine searches worldwide – making up a total of 10.5 percent.

In 2024, there were 27.2 million searches for Pinot Noir within 176 million wine searches worldwide, accounting for 15.5 percent. A not insignificant increase, with the majority concentrated in the US.

Burgundian Pinot Noir ready to harvest | ©Domaine Guyon

When it comes to the number of offers for Pinot Noir listed on Wine-Searcher, the numbers tell more of the same story.

Back on 15 December 2016, there were 0.5 million offers for Pinot Noir Wine within the 5 million offers for wine worldwide, with tiny dark grape accounting for 9.5 percent of all offers.

Nine years later on 15 December 2024, there were 1.1 million offers for Pinot Noir wines within 10 million offers for wine worldwide, making up 11.5 percent.

Both sets of figures show an increase in both interest and offers for the grape variety, with it claiming an ever larger market share as the years rolled on by.

Hand-harvesting Merlot - the most commonly planted red grape variety in Bordeaux | © Chateau de Sales
Hand-harvesting Merlot – the most commonly planted red grape variety in Bordeaux | © Chateau de Sales

Conversely, during the same time frame, other grape varieties shuffled. Big red Bordeaux blends, for example, slipped from claiming 22.3 percent of searches back in 2016, to 17.4 percent in 2024.

Chardonnay, however, that other great Burgundian variety, claimed 6 percent of searches back in 2016, but snaffled 10.3 percent in 2024, reflecting the often commented-on rise of Burgundy while Bordeaux continues to flail.

However, regarding those 2024 search stats Pinot Noir may be on the rise, but it won’t be evenly across the globe, so where are its main fan clubs?

Well, as Allen presented, France – naturally – accounted for the majority of searches, claiming 22.5 percent, while Hong Kong came in at a close second with 21.4 percent. China sat at 20.8 percent, while the UK and New Zealand sat at 15.5 percent and 15.3 percent respectively, and the US and Australia claimed 13 percent each.

Please bear in mind, the above facts and figures are all still pertain to any Pinot Noir from anywhere in the world.

Back to NZ

Allen then switched his focus firmly to New Zealand and where its Pinot Noir stood in the global market. When it comes to the 2024 searches for New Zealand wines broken down by variety, 35 percent unsurprisingly went to Kiwi stalwart Sauvignon Blanc, while Pinot Noir came in at a close second with 32.4 percent.

However, Sauvignon Blanc has dropped off from its giddy 45 percent back in 2016, while Pinot Noir has risen, albeit marginally. Chardonnay, however, claiming 12.6 percent, has also seen a slow but steady rise.

When it comes to offers, however, the figures fall sharply out of sync. The 2024 figures show 45.1 percent offers for New Zealand wine are for its Sauvignon Blanc, with just 20.7 percent for Pinot Noir, and 9.4 percent for Chardonnay. While Sauvignon Blanc has seen its offers increase from 2016’s 39 percent, Pinot Noir has seen it fall from 24 percent – despite the increase in interest – while Chardonnay has flat-lined.

Where these offers have been made has also changed dramatically. Back in 2016, the USA had the most offers at 28.4 percent, with New Zealand second with 22.4 percent, while the UK claimed 16.6 percent and Australia 10.5 percent.

In 2024, these figures have seen a dramatic shift with the USA now offering a whopping 44 percent and New Zealand increasing slightly to 27.7 percent. However, both the UK and Australia had dropped to 6.1 percent and 6.5 percent respectively. This reflected a comment made by Stephen Wong MW who noted that UK restaurant lists were largely failing to feature New Zealand wines.

Overall, however, since 15 Dec 2016 when there were 83K offers for New Zealand wine, making up 1.6 percent of the 5 million offers for wine worldwide, there has – as of 15 Dec 2024 – been an increase to 175K offers of New Zealand wine within 10M offers for wine worldwide, claiming 1.8 percent, showing slow but steady growth.

As Allen noted, there were a few key takeaways – chiefly the rise of the Burgundian varietals, and how that places New Zealand in good stead. As well as the opportunity to target both the lower pricing tiers as well as the upper, where the big Napa giants lurk.

Finally, a message that has been drummed in over the course of the past three days by various speakers – but one worth listening to. The world is keen, ready and waiting but ever so slightly deaf, and New Zealand Pinot Noir just needs to raise its voice.

The Most Wanted Sauvignon Blancs of 2025

Searching for something fresh and zesty? We’ve got you covered.

Nat Sellers, Wine-Searcher Content Writer | 22-Jan-2025

© Shutterstock/stockcreations | Its light adaptability and food-friendliness has ensured Sauvignon Blanc remains as popular as ever.
Its light adaptability and food-friendliness has ensured Sauvignon Blanc remains as popular as ever. © Shutterstock/stockcreations

It’s that time again when we greet the new year with the world’s most wanted wines.

And kicking off this most anticipated series is that old French stalwart-cum-Kiwi icon, Sauvignon Blanc.

Fresh and vibrant with the capacity – if aged in oak or on lees – to be rich, textured and unctuous, although these expressions are rarer than their steelier counterparts.

Vineyards and rolling hills, Marlborough, South Island | © patjo / shutterstock.com
Vineyards and rolling hills, Marlborough, South Island | © patjo / shutterstock.com

This year’s list incorporates styles ranging from traditional Loire elegance to the New Zealand zingers that threw the Antipodean islands onto the world stage.

However, what’s interesting about this list is how virtually unchanged it is from last year’s with Louis-Benjamin – Didier Dagueneau’s Silex once more leading the pack.

Although classified as Vin de France, Louis-Benjamin – Didier Dagueneau is one of the Loire’s leading producers in Pouilly-Fumé, an appellation that’s known for its world-class smokey Sauvignon Blanc.

Didier Dagueneau was himself a risk-taker and, after a career in motorcycle sidecar racing, he eventually brought his rebellious spirit to winemaking.

However, despite ruffling feathers up and down the Loire Valley, Dagueneau succeeded in revitalizing the region. After his fatal ultralight plane accident in 2008, Dagueneau’s children have continued his legacy, with the bottles now bearing his son Louis-Benjamin’s name.

Despite being the world’s most popular Sauvignon Blanc for a second year in a row, with an aggregated score of 93 points, the Silex has changed very little pricewise, dropping from last year’s $225 to this year’s $223, while ten years ago, it hovered around $115.

Sauvignon Blanc: the variety that put New Zealand wines onto the world scale | ©patjo / www.shutterstock.com
Sauvignon Blanc: the variety that put New Zealand wines onto the world scale | ©patjo / www.shutterstock.com

Number two is Marlborough‘s perennial Cloudy Bay, which took third place last year. Cloudy Bay was founded in 1985 by David Hohnen – who had already established Cape Mentelle Vineyards in Australia’s Margaret River – and successfully put New Zealand wine on the map.

With an aggregated score of 90 points, it’s clear since those heady days in the 80s, that Cloudy Bay has yet to fall out of fashion, while prices have remained remarkably benign. Last year, it was $33 and has dropped a dollar to this year’s $32. Ten years ago it was roughly $27, proving astonishingly stable despite the passing of a decade.

Third is the Pavillon Blanc du Château Margaux, which took second place last year. One of the Médoc‘s most illustrious estates, Château Margaux is best known for its classic red blends, however, their whites still clearly hit the mark.

With an aggregated score of 94 points, it currently sits at $318, a minor drop from last year’s $328, although a marked increase from the $181 of ten years ago.

Number four is another from Louis-Benjamin – Didier Dagueneau, this time the Pur Sang. The name is a direct translation of “purebred” – which often refers to thoroughbred horses – the label depicts the famous Lascaux cave painting of a horse.

The name suggests excellence, and this is reflected in the critic score of 93 points. It occupies the same spot as it did last year, and near enough the same price, coming in at $146 versus last year’s $145, having crawled up from the $87 of a decade ago.

Number five was also on last year’s list in the exact same place, the Edmond Vatan Sancerre Clos la Neore. A small producer, Edmond Vatan is one of the most lauded producers in the Loire Valley, having built a reputation for making Sancerre that can age for decades.

However, with an aggregated score of 93 points, it also comes at a cost. A price tag of $367 makes it the second most expensive Savvy on this list, however, it’s still a marked come down from last year’s $455. Ten years ago, it sat at $101.

Six is the only American to make this list and the most expensive by several country miles. Last year it flew in at number seven, this year it’s clambered up a slot, absolutely no prizes for guessing what, it’s Screaming Eagle.

The luxury Californian winery based in Napa’s Oakville was first established in 1986 by former real estate agent Jean Phillips, who initially sold fruit to other Napa producers. However, after building a winery, 1992 saw the release of the first vintage of Screaming Eagle to rapturous praise – particularly from Robert Parker – firmly establishing cult status.

However, despite a 93 points critic score and the perennial waiting list, prices have dropped. Ten years ago, the wine stood at $3820 and last year it came in at $3955, however, this year it’s dropped to $3398 proving even the great eagle can’t escape a cost-of-living crisis.

Number seven is a Sancerre by Domaine Vacheron which didn’t feature on last year’s list. Another leading family-owned Loire producer, the estate is biodynamically run by third winemaking generation cousins, Jean-Laurent and Jean-Dominique.

Ten years ago, it came in at $24, today –  with an aggregated critic score of 90 points – it rocks in at a still modest $38.

Eight is another Kiwi offering, the Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc, which has slid two places from last year’s list. The Marlborough winery is owned by Kevin Judd, whose previous stint as a winemaker for Cloudy Bay saw him rise to prominence. As well as an excellent winemaker, Judd is also an impressive vineyard photographer.

The wine itself has an aggregated critic score of 91 points, while its price has been resolutely consistent. Ten years ago it was $20, last year it was $23, while this year it’s dropped a dollar to $22.

Number nine is a final entry from Louis-Benjamin – Didier Dagueneau with their ‘Blanc etc.’ / ‘Blanc Fume de Pouilly’. The name somewhat convoluted by the wine previously being called ‘Blanc Fume de Pouilly’ until it was later renamed ‘Blanc etc.’

Having dropped one place from last year’s list, Blanc.etc has still retained an impressive score of 90 points, however, the price has seen various shifts. Ten years ago, the wine came in at $60, last year it was $97 and this year, it’s crept up to $104.

Lastly in this year’s most wanted Savvy B, is the Francois Cotat Sancerre Les Monts Damnés occupying the exact same spot as it did last year. Francois Cotat is known for producing a traditional style of Sancerre from its esteemed Monts Damnés vineyard. Today, the estate is run by cousins Pascal and Francois Cotat who have followed in their fathers’ – the original founders – footsteps.

With an aggregated score of 92 points, this sophisticated sav has remained fairly consistent pricewise. Ten years ago, it hovered around $44, and the in the last two years, the price has remained at a steady $80.

When it comes to the world’s most sought-after Sauvignon, there’s not just one thing people are looking for. Some people are searching for French, others Kiwi. Some are searching for bargains, others the most expensive wines they can think of. From traditional to tongue-tingling modern styles, Savvy B really does offer it all.