# Delta Estate Merlot (2020)

- **Producer:** The Delta Wine Company Ltd
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot, Syrah
- **Region:** Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €17
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Aromas & flavours:** black cherry, raspberry, black plum, cedar, vanilla

## About this wine

The Delta Estate Merlot 2020 is a red wine from Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, produced by The Delta Wine Company Ltd. The blend comprises 98% Merlot and 2% Syrah. The producer aims to create affordable, elegant, and modern wines, utilizing natural yeasts and aged in gently used barrels or stainless steel to minimize new oak influence. Holistic sustainability is a core principle for the company. This wine is noted for its beautiful color and is vegan-friendly. It is available as a special order item with a longer delivery time.

## Interesting facts

- Made with 98% Merlot and a touch of Syrah.
- This wine is vegan-friendly.
- Special order item with longer delivery times.
- Producer emphasizes minimal new oak usage.

## Food pairing

The wine's structure and fruit profile can complement dishes with moderate protein and fat. The subtle herbaceousness often found in Merlot can echo herbs used in cooking, while its fruit notes can harmonize with fruit-based sauces or accompaniments.

## Wine making process

The Delta Estate Merlot 2020 is produced using natural yeasts for fermentation, a technique chosen to allow for a more subtle expression of the grape. The wine undergoes aging in a combination of gently used barrels and stainless steel. This approach deliberately minimizes the use of new oak, with the aim of preserving the primary fruit characteristics and achieving a modern, restrained style. The producer also emphasizes holistic sustainability and efforts to reduce their carbon footprint throughout the production and supply chain.