# Cloudy Bay Chardonnay (2023)

- **Producer:** Cloudy Bay
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Marlborough, New Zealand
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €35
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–13 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, pear, peach, apricot, lemon, grapefruit, butter, toast, vanilla, brioche, hazelnut, honey

## About this wine

Established in 1985, Cloudy Bay was one of the pioneering wineries of Marlborough, forever changing the global perception of New Zealand wine. While internationally renowned for Sauvignon Blanc, Cloudy Bay has spent decades refining its cool-climate Chardonnay. The estate's vineyards are situated in the stony soils of the Wairau Valley, where warm sunny days and cool nights allow the grapes to ripen slowly, preserving their natural acidity and developing complex, concentrated flavor profiles.

## Interesting facts

- Cloudy Bay was named by Captain Cook during his voyage to New Zealand in 1770.
- This Chardonnay is fermented entirely with wild yeasts to enhance complexity and texture.
- The winery was one of the founding members of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.

## Food pairing

The wine's vibrant, cool-climate acidity cuts through rich, creamy sauces, while its subtle oak integration and medium-to-full body complement roasted poultry, rich seafood, and buttery dishes without overpowering them.

## Wine making process

The fruit is harvested by hand and gently whole-cluster pressed. The juice is then transferred directly into French oak barrels (approximately 15-20% new) for fermentation using wild, indigenous yeasts. A portion of the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation to soften the acidity and introduce a creamy texture. The wine is aged on its fine lees for 11 to 12 months, with regular stirring (bâtonnage) to build mid-palate weight, complexity, and structural integration.