Te Mata Estate Chardonnay Estate Vineyards 2021

Te Mata Estate was founded in 1896 in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand and is one of the oldest wineries in the country. Originally established to produce quality wines from Bordeaux grape varieties, Te Mata quickly gained a reputation for excellence. Over the decades, the estate has evolved into a major player in New Zealand viticulture, while remaining family-owned. Today, it is best known for its signature cuvée, Coleraine , and its fine wines.

Here is a  A wonderful Chardonnay from New Zealand, the grapes are sourced from several plots within the Hawke's Bay region which gives balance and complexity to the wine. On this subject, the result is pleasantly fruity and beautifully perfumed with a mineral character, aromas of yellow lemon , ripe white peach and pineapple all coated with notes of vanilla, hazelnut and toasted popcorn. The palate is succulent and expansive, displaying a beautiful richness and creamy mouthfeel, finishing on a length comforting and invigorating.

Introduced in 1819, vine growing was greatly developed by Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, a French Marist missionary. Sent to Oceania in 1837, he settled there from January 1838 onwards to develop New Zealand's vineyards. The first quality vineyards were established in the Hawke's Bay region in the 19th and early 20th centuries. After setbacks caused first by phylloxera and then by the First World War, the vineyards began to expand again during the Second World War, when their area doubled.

Today, New Zealand has 10 main wine regions spread across the North and South Islands, the largest of which is Marlborough. Most of New Zealand's wine regions have a maritime climate. The country's long, narrow shape means that vineyards are never more than 120 km from the coast, and most are much closer than that (with the exception of the semi-continental Central Otago region). A spine of mountains running down the centre of the country shields most of the main wine regions from the strong westerly winds off the Tasman Sea known as the "Roaring Forties". Because of these winds, there are few wine regions on New Zealand's west coast.

The quality and reputation of New Zealand wines are well established. Indeed, the country produces some of the best and most renowned Sauvignon Blanc in the world. And it is no coincidence that New Zealand has made Sauvignon Blanc its emblem, just like its sheep, its kiwis and its legendary haka!