-
Jan 16, 2025 | 
theshout.co.nz | Charlotte Cowan
New Zealand wine enjoyed a white Christmas this year, following the release of the latest performance figures of all wine in the UK market. In the four-week period leading up to 28 December 2024, New Zealand white wine was the country of origin leader in the Still White Wine Category, with value growth up 7.3% and volume growth up 9.7% compared to the same period last year.
-
Jan 15, 2025 | 
theshout.co.nz | Charlotte Cowan
Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025 is set to take place in Christchurch from 11-13 February, after an eight-year hiatus. The event is an opportunity to meet passionate Pinot Noir producers from around New Zealand’s winegrowing regions, and listen to experts from within our own shores, and from around the world.
-
Jan 14, 2025 | 
theshout.co.nz | Charlotte Cowan
Drinks International has revealed its list of top Bartenders Choice spirits in its 2025 Brands Report. To compile the list, a 100-strong sample of bars from around the world were asked to name one brand which they like working with above all others, across any category. Over the past 16 years, Tanqueray has taken top spot in exactly half the editions of Bartenders’ Choice and continues to lead the pack this year.
-
Jan 13, 2025 | 
theshout.co.nz | Charlotte Cowan
Jameson Irish whiskey has announced the return of its annual Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series competition. Now in its fourth year, the competition is open for entries from 13th January to 17th February, 2025.
-
Jan 12, 2025 | 
theshout.co.nz | Charlotte Cowan
Experiential bars and eatertainment venues offers a range of category mix opportunities for brands to capitalise on, according to CGA by NIQ. Their research notes that 23% of consumers typically visit experiential bars (+3pp vs last year) and four in five of them visit at least monthly and 87% plan to return in the next 12 months, signaling both strong consumer loyalty and channel stability.
-
Jan 12, 2025 | 
theshout.co.nz | Charlotte Cowan
Hospitality New Zealand says it welcomes the announced changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa, coming into effect in stages across 2025. Changes of particular note for hospitality include: removing the median wage requirement, increasing visa duration for ANZSCO Level 4 or 5 AEWV holders to three years, amending the MSD engagement requirement and providing greater work rights for those on interim visas.
-
Jan 8, 2025 | 
theshout.co.nz | Charlotte Cowan
Kerikeri’s Marsden Estate Vineyard has sold to a British trust for $3,705,000, after 10 years on the market. Consent was granted to Michael Endean, Richard Ashwell Palmer and Paul Young as trustees of the Mike and Shirley Endean Marsden Charitable Trust late last year, according to Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand.
-
Jan 7, 2025 | 
theshout.co.nz | Charlotte Cowan
Khloé Kardashian and Kris Jenner have been enlisted by New Zealand company Free AF to promote its alcohol-free drinks. Following a successful launch into the US, Free AF – founded by Lisa King – has partnered with the mega-influencers for “Dry January”. Dry January was started in 2012 by Alcohol Change UK, a charity focused on reducing alcohol harm and in 2024, a quarter of Americans said they completed the challenge.
-
Jan 5, 2025 | 
theshout.co.nz | Charlotte Cowan
The countdown is on for Roam Central 2025, a weekend of immersive wine experiences in the heart of Central Otago. Wine Exploration Events – Saturday 15 February Tickets for the Wine Exploration Events and the Grand Tasting are now live, offering wine lovers a rare opportunity to explore the best of the region’s wines, food, and landscapes.
-
Jan 5, 2025 | 
theshout.co.nz | Charlotte Cowan
With double the tax of wine and beer, consumers drinking less and economic headwinds, it didn’t seem to be a very bright end to 2024 – yet Spirits NZ’s CE, Robert Brewer, says there are some hidden positives for New Zealand’s vibrant local industry. “Not many people realise that 60 to 70% of the retail price for full strength spirits is made up of excise tax and GST,” Brewer says. “This means it doesn’t take much to trim slim profit margins should the economics of the industry change.
