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Huon Hooke97 points
- Variety Chardonnay
- Vintage 2022
- Brand Te Mata Estate
- Cellaring 10-15 Years
- Wine Type White
- Alcohol Percentage 13.5% Alcohol
Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2022"The superb quality of the 2022 vintage was immediately apparent in the fully ..."$50.00 -
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- Variety Chardonnay
- Vintage 2016
- Brand Ash Ridge
- Cellaring 3-5 Years
- Wine Type White
- Alcohol Percentage 12.5% Alcohol
Ash Ridge 'Premium' Chardonnay 2016"A complex & structured nod to the "old school" Chardonnay. A full, toasty nos..."$39.00 -
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Tom Cannavan94 points
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Bob Campbell MW92 points
- Variety Chardonnay
- Vintage 2018
- Brand Felton Road
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type White
- Alcohol Percentage 13.5% Alcohol
Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2018"Inviting aromas of white blossom, delicate peach and hints of citrus. Not obv..."$89.99 -
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- Variety Chardonnay
- Vintage 2018
- Brand Giesen Wines
- Cellaring 5-10 Years
- Wine Type White
- Alcohol Percentage 13.0% Alcohol
Giesen Chardonnay 2018"Giesen's Estate Chardonnay is wine that's very approachable in youth and suit..."$10.00 -
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NZ InternationaBronze points
- Variety Chardonnay
- Vintage 2019
- Brand Giesen Wines
- Cellaring 5-10 Years
- Wine Type White
- Alcohol Percentage 13.0% Alcohol
Giesen Chardonnay 2019"A vibrant Chardonnay from the Hawke's Bay wine region, a region that consiste..."$14.99 -
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NZ InternationaBronze points
- Variety Chardonnay
- Vintage 2020
- Brand Giesen Wines
- Cellaring 5-10 Years
- Wine Type White
- Alcohol Percentage 13.0% Alcohol
Giesen Chardonnay 2020"A vibrant Chardonnay from the Hawke's Bay wine region, a region that consiste..."$15.00 -
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Sam Kim95 points
- Variety Sauvignon Blanc
- Vintage 2018
- Brand Te Mata Estate
- Cellaring Ready, but will Keep
- Wine Type White
- Alcohol Percentage 13.5% Alcohol
Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc 2018"Pale lemon with flecks of lime-green, Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc ’18 overflow..."$39.99 -
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Sam Kim96 points
- Variety Sauvignon Blanc
- Vintage 2022
- Brand Te Mata Estate
- Cellaring Ready, but will Keep
- Wine Type White
- Alcohol Percentage 13.0% Alcohol
Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc 2022"The fully ripe grapes for Cape Crest ’22 were hand harvested from individual ..."$48.99 -
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- Variety Chardonnay
- Vintage 2020
- Brand Te Mata Estate
- Cellaring 10-15 Years
- Wine Type White
- Alcohol Percentage 14.0% Alcohol
Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2020"Brilliant lemon-gold, Elston Chardonnay ’20 has the immediate aroma of lime b..."$50.00 -
- Variety Chardonnay
- Vintage 2023
- Brand Te Mata Estate
- Cellaring 10-15 Years
- Wine Type White
- Alcohol Percentage 12.5% Alcohol
Te Mata Estate Chardonnay 2023"The grapes for Estate Chardonnay ’23 were harvested between 22 February and 2..."$26.99 -
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Sam Kim95 points
- Variety Chardonnay
- Vintage 2016
- Brand Tony Bish
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type White
- Alcohol Percentage 13.0% Alcohol
Tony Bish Golden Egg Chardonnay 2016"Medium straw appearance. The aroma is a medley of nectarine, peach, apple bl..."$62.00 -
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Mike Bennie90 points
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Raymond Chan Wi19.5 points
- Variety Chardonnay
- Vintage 2019
- Brand Tony Bish
- Cellaring 15 Plus Years
- Wine Type White
- Alcohol Percentage 13.5% Alcohol
Zen Chardonnay by Tony Bish 2019"100% ovum, first use. Skeetfield fruit, unfined and unfiltered. Beautiful nos..."$199.99 -
White Wine
White wine is made from white or light-colored grape varieties. Unlike red wine, the juice from white grapes is not in contact with the grape skins during fermentation, which is why white wine is typically a pale yellow or straw color. Some of the most common types of white wine include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Pinot Grigio. The flavors of white wine can range from fruity and floral to mineral and tangy, depending on the grape variety and winemaking methods used. White wine is typically chilled before serving and is often paired with lighter foods such as fish, chicken, and salads.
White wines can also be oaked or unoaked, oaked white wines have been aged in oak barrels which gives the wine a creamy, buttery, vanilla notes. Whereas unoaked white wines are aged in stainless steel tanks which gives the wine a crisp and fresh taste. Some white wines are also fermented or aged in contact with their own lees (dead yeast cells) which gives the wine a fuller body and more complex aromas.
Different regions also have their signature white wines, for instance, white wine from Burgundy region of France is known for its Chardonnay grape variety which gives the wine a rich, complex, and buttery notes, whereas white wine from Alsace region of France is known for its Riesling grape variety which gives the wine a floral, mineral, and tangy notes.
White wine can be made using a variety of techniques and methods, each of which can affect the final taste and quality of the wine. For example, some winemakers use "skin contact" techniques to extract more flavor and color from the grapes. This is done by leaving the juice in contact with the grape skins for a short period of time before fermenting. This can add more body and texture to the wine, as well as a subtle color change. On the other hand, some winemakers use "sur lie" aging to give the wine a creamier texture and more complex aromas. Sur lie aging refers to the practice of leaving the wine on its lees (dead yeast cells) for an extended period of time, which can add complexity and depth to the wine's aroma and flavor.
The alcohol content of white wine can vary, but it is typically around 11-14% alcohol by volume (ABV). Some white wines, particularly those from warmer regions or those made using certain techniques, can have a higher alcohol content. For example, some Chardonnay wines produced in Napa Valley, California can reach up to 15% alcohol by volume.
The flavor and aroma of white wine can be influenced by many factors, including the grape variety, the terroir (soil, climate, and topography) of the vineyard, and the winemaking techniques used. For example, a Chardonnay from a cool climate region will have a high acidity and crisp flavors, while a Chardonnay from a warm climate region will have a higher alcohol content, a more full-bodied texture, and a more tropical fruit profile.
Some white wines are best consumed young and fresh, while others are meant to be aged for several years. For example, Sauvignon Blanc is typically consumed young, while a white Burgundy made from Chardonnay grapes can be aged for several years.
Some white wines are meant to be enjoyed as aperitif, while others are meant to be enjoyed with food. Aperitif wines are typically light-bodied, crisp, and dry and are consumed before a meal to stimulate the appetite, while food-friendly wines are typically more full-bodied, complex and can complement or contrast flavors of the food.
White wine can also be sparkling, such as Champagne and Prosecco, which are made using the traditional method of secondary fermentation in the bottle. Sparkling wines are typically made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes and can vary in sweetness, dryness, and effervescence.