Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Sauvignon exporters still on thin ice - expert

Updated at 3:17 pm on 4 February 2010

A leading British wine expert says the fallout to New Zealand's reputation following an oversupply of lower-quality sauvignon blanc wine to the United Kingdom isn't over.

Oz Clarke acknowledges that the New Zealand wine industry has taken steps to make sure the massive production of sauvignon in 2008 doesn't happen again.

But companies that export sauvignon blanc really have to watch their step in the next year or two, he says, adding that it's important they stick to producing sauvignon with bright fresh green flavours - which is what the British consumer loves.

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