In 2016, the total value of New Zealand wine imported into the US reached $US400 million, now only surpassed by Italy ($US1960 million) and France ($US1589 million).
``To be third ranking in terms of value in the world's largest wine market is outstanding, especially given New Zealand produces less than 1% of the world's wine,'' New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan said.
The figures from a Gomberg Fredrikson report which monitors wine shipments into the US show the value of New Zealand wine imported into the US has grown significantly in the past 12 months.
``New Zealand wine, especially sauvignon blanc, is very popular in the US and continues to grow at a rate much faster than the total market,'' Gomberg Fredrikson and Associates owner Jon Moramarco said. ``The growth doesn't surprise me, just because of the quality and value of what New Zealand has to offer.''
The US became New Zealand's largest market in 2015 overtaking the United Kingdom and Australia.
Overall, New Zealand wine exports have reached a record high and now stand at $1.61 billion, up 5% for the year end January 2017.
New Zealand wine is exported to more than 90 countries, and is New Zealand's seventh-largest export product.
The Gomberg Fredrikson report also showed that to the 12 months ending December 2016 wine shipments into the US market expanded by 3%, nearing 400 million cases.
Over the past 10 years, the growth of the wine industry has outperformed the other beverage/alcohol categories, it said.
