White New Zealand Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay

White New Zealand Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2023 wine

The White Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2023 from New Zealand is best served chilled. The winery, known for its elegant Burgundy-style Chardonnays, has a rich history dating back to 1937 when Mick and Kate Brajkovich started the business after leaving Croatia for New Zealand. The estate, now run by the third generation of Brajkovichs, benefits from the cool conditions created by the nearby Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean, ideal for producing vibrant white wines like Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

The Estate Chardonnay is crafted from the best grapes hand-harvested from six vineyard sites in Kumeu. After fermentation in oak barrels for 11 months, the result is a luxurious Chardonnay with a velvety texture and enchanting aromas of white peaches, lemon zest, and subtle minerality. This wine is perfect for aging, with the potential to develop and improve over the next ten years.

White New Zealand Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay 2023 wine

The Kumeu River Rays Road Chardonnay 2023 is a renowned white wine from New Zealand, produced by the Brajkovich family at their estate near Auckland. Since the 1980s, they have been focusing on crafting exceptional Burgundian-style Chardonnays, earning international acclaim and even besting top Burgundy producers in blind tastings. Made from Chardonnay grapes grown on a picturesque vineyard in Hawkes Bay, this wine is hand-harvested and fermented with wild yeasts in French oak barrels.

The result is a savory and fragrant wine with a distinctive mineral character that reflects its terroir. It offers elegant floral aromas, citrus fruit notes, and a hint of minerality on the nose. On the palate, it is fresh, fruity, and slightly creamy with a touch of toasted oak.

The finish is medium-long with a perfect balance of warmth and zesty lemon notes. This wine pairs beautifully with white meats, grilled fish, and seafood dishes.

Red Italian Oasi degli Angeli Kurni 2021 wine

The Oasi degli Angeli Kurni 2021 red wine from Italy should be decanted at least 1 hour before serving. This wine comes from the historic Oasi degli Angeli estate, now managed by Marco Casolanetti and Eleonora Rossi. The estate was originally founded by Eleonora’s great-grandfather as a small farm in the beautiful Marche region of central Italy, focusing on grapes, olives, and fruit trees.

In the 1990s, Eleonora and Marco shifted the estate’s focus to producing wine, with their first vintage being the 1997 Kurni, named after Eleonora’s family nickname. Made from 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grapes from old vines with low yields, this wine offers rich aromas of sour cherry, blackcurrants, ripe plums, woodsmoke, leather, and tobacco. Aged in new French oak barrels for at least 21 months, the Kurni wine is full-bodied with intense fruit flavors and a long finish.

It is suitable for aging for over a decade and pairs well with hearty meat dishes like rigatoni with beef ragu.

Red Italian La Bollina Actarus Primitivo di Manduria 2023 wine

The La Bollina Actarus Primitivo di Manduria 2023 is a bold red wine from Italy that should be decanted for at least an hour before serving. Made from the Primitivo grape, it has a deep purple color and intense aromas of plum, raspberry, blackberry, chocolate, and herbs, with hints of baking spice. La Bollina is located in Piedmont, known for Nebbiolo and Gavi grapes, but also produces wines from other regions like Puglia in southern Italy.

Actarus is a classic Primitivo from Puglia, showcasing the power and warmth of the Mediterranean climate with flavors of raisin, leather, ripe black fruits, cocoa, and tobacco smoke. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels, this wine has smooth tannins and lively acidity, making it a great match for dishes like steak, charcuterie, or eggplant parmesan. Overseen by Marco Roveda, with assistance from enologist Andrea Zampieri and agronomist Franco Fierri, La Bollina is known for producing high-quality wines from various Italian regions.

White Italian La Bollina Armason Monferrato Bianco 2023 wine

The La Bollina Armason Monferrato Bianco 2023 is a white wine from Italy that does not require decanting. La Bollina is a contemporary winery situated in Alto Monferrato, on a stunning estate once owned by the Marquises Figari of Genoa. The estate features a luxurious hotel in a nineteenth-century liberty villa, a large golf course, and vast chestnut woods.

The vineyards cover 28 hectares, primarily planted with Cortese grapes, the native vine used to produce Gavi. Additionally, Chardonnay, Nebbiolo, and Barbera grapes are also grown. The Chardonnay grapes used to make the Armason La Bollina wine come from clayey vineyards with excellent south and south-east exposure.

The grapes are harvested at optimal ripeness and quickly brought to the cellar to prevent oxidation. After careful de-stemming, soft pressing, and low-temperature static decanting, the must undergoes fermentation in both stainless steel containers and barriques. The wine is then aged for 6 months, resulting in an elegant straw yellow color with golden reflections.

The bouquet combines woody notes, tropical fruit hints, and sweet spicy nuances of vanilla. On the palate, it is fresh with a lingering and refined finish. This modern Chardonnay pairs well with smoked or grilled fish.