Materman: New Zealand wine ‘at home’ in HK

Patrick Materman of Brancott Wine Estate in Marlborough has said that the natural freshness and acidity of New Zealand wines makes them perfectly at home with Hong Kong’s humid climate.

Patrick Materman © HKIWSC

Patrick Materman is in town as the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits competition’s lead wine judge and before lunchtime on the first day of judging, has already methodically tasted wines from all corners of the world in the lead up to the competition which will be announced at the Hong Kong Wine and Spirits Fair in November.

Materman is the chief winemaker of Brancott Estate in Blenheim, Marlborough which was the earliest winery to plant New Zealand’s greatest export, Sauvignon Blanc and later, Pinot Noir, New Zealand’s beloved second grape.

During his time at Brancott, Materman pioneered the Brancott Estate Flight, a range of naturally lower alcohol wine, as well as creating Malborough’s first Sauvignon Gris from an almost extinct variety which is now growing happily in the estate.

After making the long journey from New Zealand to Hong Kong several times over the course of a few years, Materman believes that Hong Kong is ready to embrace “most New Zealand varietals.”

“Hong Kong is a big market for us undoubtedly. The market is becoming so much more sophisticated, there’s a very strong sommelier presence here to introduce our styles and also a huge food culture. New Zealand wines are natural food wines, but they all have that balance of freshness and acidity which makes them suitable as an aperitifs and they suit the humid climate.

“Wine drinkers here are also big fans of Pinot Noir, which like Sauvignon Blanc is distinctively New Zealand. Who knows? Maybe our rose’s made from Pinot Noir could be the next big thing, too.”

Alluding to last year’s ‘brose‘ phenomenon and its possible migration to Hong Kong (which is arguably experiencing a growth in its metrosexual population), Materman said, “I don’t see why not, men love our rose’s back home.”

From 2010 to 2014, New Zealand exports to Hong Kong jumped a massive 45% – from 79,000 to 115,000 cases – making it Hong Kong’s seventh largest wine importer. While Sauvignon Blanc is still the biggest driver, the increasing quality of Pinot Noir has netted it loyal fans in the city.