Taking a shine to the Kiwi grapes

China is now New Zealand's sixth-largest wine export market by value. Wine exports to China for the financial year to June 2015 exceeded NZ$27 million ($18 million), said Natalie Potts, marketing manager, Asia, for the New Zealand Winegrowers.

The top three markets for New Zealand wine exports are the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. "As Chinese consumption of New Zealand wine grows, we expect to see China rise up through the ranks," said Potts.

Wine is New Zealand's sixth largest export good by value. Wine exports last financial year were worth over NZ$1.4 billion, on track to meet the 2020 target of NZ$2 billion.