Judging for the sixth annual New Zealand Spirits Awards has begun at Wellington’s Wharewaka event centre.
More than twenty judges from New Zealand and Australia will sip and assess over 480 entries for the 2024 New Zealand Spirits Awards across two and a half days of intense appreciation.
“Given the economic headwinds buffeting us right now we’re incredibly gratified that New Zealand and international spirits producers have entered in such numbers – 485 entries compared with 426 last year,” said Spirits New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Robert Brewer.
Brewer said the strength of entries is a timely reminder of the potential the local industry has as it continues to grow.
“The just-released World Spirits Alliance Global Economic Contribution report confirms that in spite of consumers drinking less, they are prepared to spend more on premium products, and there is no doubt that New Zealand distillers are premium producers. "
“And when you consider that globally in 2022, spirits contributed more than US $730 billion gross value added to global GDP, then we are just at the start of a journey to become one of New Zealand’s top exporters,” he said.
Brewer added that if trends continue, then, globally, spirits will soon outsell wine on a volume basis.
As in previous years, gin entries dominate the New Zealand Spirits Awards, with 192 being submitted for judging. There are 321 entries from New Zealand distillers and 163 from overseas.
Recently, Spirits New Zealand said that trends, such as the consumer shift to favour spirits over wine, can be seen in the local market.
Brewer said that as consumers drink less, they choose to spend their money differently. This has meant a surge in popularity for premium spirits and spirit-based beverages.
“It’s part of the global trend where consumers are moderating their drinking by sipping and savouring a premium spirit or cocktail. In fact in 2023, according to Statistics NZ data, the volume of spirits and spirit-based beverages available for consumption in New Zealand overtook wine for the first time.”
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