Jascha Oldham-Selak and Sanne Witteveen, of Vilaura, were named Rising Star of the Year in the 2026 Real Review. New Zealanders purchased more than six million litres of imported sparkling wine in 2025, according to NZW data. While Champagne imports have declined as prices rise, other sparkling wines of the world continue to perform strongly here, highlighting the ongoing popularity of the category among Kiwis. "Traditional method bottle fermented sparkling wines are predominantly made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, varieties currently facing pressure in many regions of the industry." The challenge for New Zealand producers begins with educating domestic consumers about the differences between in-line carbonated sparkling wines, tank-pressurised sparkling wines and Méthode Traditionnelle wines, Jascha says.