# Villa Maria Estate Villa Mara McDiarmid Hill Chardonnay (2020)

- **Producer:** Villa Maria Estate
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** Gisborne, New Zealand
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €25
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–13 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** peach, lemon, fig, apricot, vanilla, nut, smoke, cloves

## About this wine

The Villa Maria Estate Villa Mara McDiarmid Hill Chardonnay 2020 is a single-vineyard wine from Gisborne, New Zealand. The McDiarmid Hill vineyard is situated on an elevated, north-facing slope, benefiting from the region's favorable climate. Villa Maria Estate, founded in 1961, is recognized as New Zealand's most awarded winery. This Chardonnay is distinguished by its powerful and complex character, derived from the specific vineyard site and the use of mature, dry-farmed Mendoza vines.

## Interesting facts

- McDiarmid Hill vineyard is on an elevated, north-facing slope.
- Gisborne is nicknamed the 'Chardonnay Capital of New Zealand.'
- Mature, dry-farmed Mendoza vines are used.
- The wine was aged for 11 months in French oak.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and rich texture complement dishes with similar weight and texture, such as creamy risottos or roasted meats. Its fine acidity cuts through the richness of fatty proteins like pork and salmon, while its fruit notes can echo or contrast with accompanying ingredients.

## Wine making process

The Villa Maria Estate Villa Mara McDiarmid Hill Chardonnay 2020 is produced from hand-picked fruit. The winemaking process involves fermentation in French oak barriques, with some batches utilizing indigenous yeasts. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes an aging period of 11 months in French oak, with a portion of new oak used to influence the final profile.