# Dead Flowers Skin-Contact Field Blend (2023)

- **Producer:** The Hermit Ram
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Canterbury, New Zealand
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €29
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** rose, lychee, orange, herbaceous

## About this wine

The Hermit Ram was established in 2012 by winemaker Theo Coles to express the unrefined terroir of New Zealand's South Island. Sourced from an organically farmed vineyard in Waipara directly adjoining a local cemetery, the unique location inspired the cuvée's name. Coles created this skin-contact field blend to showcase the distinct clay and limestone soils of North Canterbury through minimal-intervention winemaking.

## Interesting facts

- The vineyard directly adjoins a local cemetery in Waipara, which inspired the name 'Dead Flowers'.
- Winemaker Theo Coles describes combining Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir in skin contact as 'one plus one equals three'.
- Part of the blend is aged in traditional Spanish clay amphorae known as Tinajas.

## Food pairing

The high acidity and gentle skin-contact phenolics balance rich fat and aromatic spices seamlessly. Salinity and textured fruit complement Southeast Asian herbs, gamey meats, and pungent cheeses.

## Wine making process

Organically farmed whole-bunches of Gewürztraminer undergo a flotation fermentation method in direct-pressed juice. The wine is blended with Pinot Noir that undergoes six weeks of skin maceration to impart fine structural grip and minerality. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with wild yeasts. Maturation takes place in stainless steel, neutral oak puncheons, and Spanish clay amphorae (Tinajas). Bottled unfined, unfiltered, with minimal sulfur added.