The theme of the month, Pour Yourself a Glass of New Zealand, comes at a time when New Zealand’s
top three exported white wine varieties are internationally celebrated with International Sauvignon
Blanc Day (3 May), International Pinot Gris Day (17 May) and International Chardonnay Day (23 May) all
falling in the same month.
“New Zealand white wine makes up 93% of our global exports, and while Sauvignon Blanc represents
86% of our exports, New Zealand also produces other world-class white wine varieties such as Pinot
Gris and Chardonnay, “says Charlotte Read, General Manager Brand, New Zealand Winegrowers.
New Zealand’s geographical location and maritime climate provide perfect conditions for growing white
grapes and allow for the retention of natural acidity across a wide range of varieties. None of the
country’s winegrowing regions are far from the sea and coupled with long hours of sunshine and often
crisp night temperatures it’s the ideal recipe for pure, fresh, delicate white wines.
“Across our 10 wine regions, New Zealand produces over 40 varieties of wine. Sauvignon Blanc may
have been the first to put New Zealand wine on the map, but New Zealand also excels in the production
of an increasing range of styles and varieties – from Chardonnay to Riesling to Albariño, there is a New
Zealand white wine to suit every palate.”
In May 2022, New Zealand Wine called on people across the globe to sign the petition for the inclusion
of the white wine emoji on global keyboards, and an official request was made to the Unicode
Consortium in July. Unfortunately, the request was declined without explanation, and our keyboards
are still devoid of an emoji with huge support and demand. Now the 2-year grace period to apply has
passed, New Zealand is on the quest to obtain the white wine emoji yet again.
It seems to be a common theme. In 2018, the Kiwi Bird emoji was put forward, with the consortium
declining that as well.
“When it comes to emojis, it seems to be so hard for the Kiwis. We can’t seem to get our national bird,
or our most famous wine export, recognised. It’s almost like the Unicode Consortium has a vendetta
against the things that New Zealand is famed for!” Charlotte jokes.
In the meantime, the public can express how they feel about the missing white wine emoji on the New
Zealand Wine message board, which will be used to advance the case this year.
For more information about the Pour Yourself a Glass of New Zealand campaign, visit the campaign
page here.
