Kumeu River 'Rays Road' Chardonnay

The 2022 Chardonnay hails from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. 'Ray's Road' is Kumeu River's latest vineyard. The Chardonnay vines grow on a limestone hillside 180m above sea - level. Dry - farming is used here to get high - quality grapes. These grapes are whole - cluster pressed and fermented with wild yeast. The wine ages for 11 months in old French Oak barrels, giving it a zesty character. On the nose, you'll detect white flowers and lemon. In the mouth, the acidity, vanilla, and baking spice notes are in perfect harmony. It pairs beautifully with a creamy risotto.

This Chardonnay is ready to drink right out of the bottle. Just pop the cork and pour it into a wine glass. You can enjoy it on its own as an aperitif or pair it with a creamy risotto as suggested. When storing, keep it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and strong odors. Don't worry about over - chilling it too much, as that can dull the flavors. A cellar or a wine fridge set at a moderate temperature is ideal. If you have some left over, re - cork it tightly and put it in the fridge. It should stay good for a couple of days.