The Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) between the wine industry and the Ministry for Primary Industries has announced that New Zealand is planning to become the leading producer of quality, lower calorie and lower alcohol Lifestyle wines in the world.
The PGP initiative is the first ever largest R&D project managed by New Zealand's wine industry, Ministry for Primary Industries claims.
Of the total NZ$16.97m secured for the initiative, about NZ$8.13m is provided by the Ministry for Primary Industries over the next seven years, and the remainder is offered by industry partners as a combination of cash and in-kind contributions.
The initiative is expected to develop viticulture and winery tools to cater to the increasing market for lower calorie and lower alcohol wines with quality, naturally-produced options.
Ministry for Primary Industries Primary Growth Partnership director Justine Gilliland said that the ministry is excited by this programme in providing the opportunity for further innovation in the wine industry, and the potential to strengthen New Zealand's reputation as a supplier of some of the world's finest wines.
"'This is the first viticulture programme in the PGP, representing an exciting stage in the overall PGP programme. It's a great example of how the PGP is enabling innovation in industries across the primary sector," added Gilliland.
