Marlborough wines ‘among world’s best’

Press, 23 January 1988, Page 3

Marlborough wines ‘among world’s best’

Blenheim reporter Marlborough wines are among the best in the world, according to a member of a select group of international wine experts. “A lot of people would give their right arm to make wines like Marlborough,” said Mr Kit Stevens. Mr Stevens, who is a Master of Wine, is in Blenheim today for the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival. He is one of only 133 people from throughout the world who has, since its inception in 1953, passed the London Institute of Masters of Wine’s rigid examinations. Formerly from England, he has lived in France for 10 years and Auckland periodically in the last two years. “Marlborough is just really coming into its glory days now,” said Mr Stevens.

He was particularly impressed with Marl-

borough’s Sauvignon Blanc. It was the third or fourth most popular grape with probably about 100 different countries producing it, he said.

Marlborough would “certainly be among the top two” of those. It could not produce enough of its Sauvignon Blanc to satisfy the demand overseas. There was a great shortage of Marlborough wine in England and Australia, said Mr Stevens. He attributed Marlborough’s success to its climate, and predicted that in 10 years Marlborough vineyard owners would have larger cars. He also expected there would be a lot more land planted in vineyards. “I think we can probably say a vineyard owner in Marlborough would have a better interview with the bank manager than any other New Zealander (at present).”