Finns ‘discover’ N.Z. wine

Press, 6 December 1989, Page 36

Finns ‘discover’ N.Z. wine

By

SUSAN COOK

New Zealand wine may help correct a trade imbalance that lies heavily in favour of Finland. The Finnish Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, Mr Ulf-Erik Slotte, said the State monopoly controlling the sale of liquor in Finland had recently “discovered” New Zealand wine. Corbans wine in particular was becoming popular with Finns, who are not traditional wine drinkers. Based in Canberra, Mr Slotte spoke to several Ministers in Wellington, and began a search for a new Honorary Consul for New Zealand from among the 300-strong Finnish community. He also attended the inaugural Australasian concert of the 50-member Helsinki University male voice choir, which has not performed outside Europe before. The choir, of which he r is a former member, was one example of a series of cultural exchanges between the two countries, said Mr Slotte. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra had recently commissioned a

work from a leading Finnish composer, Aulis Sallinen, reciprocating a similar arrangement last year between William Southgate and the Finnish national orchestra. The New Zealand Youth Brass Band would be taking part in the International Society for Music Education contest to be held in Helsinki next year, he said. Mr Slotte said cultural exchanges were an ideal way for two countries, geographically distant, to strengthen ties.