{"product_id":"2025-village-chardonnay-kumeu-river","title":"2025 Village Chardonnay, Kumeu River","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Everyday Benchmark\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBright, expressive and effortlessly inviting, Kumeu River’s Village Chardonnay brings a touch of fine-wine refinement to everyday drinking. Lemon and lime lead the aromas, followed by white peach, crisp apple and a subtle hint of fig. A gentle cashew richness adds depth, while flinty, shell-like notes give the fruit a savoury edge. Oak stays discreetly in the background, allowing the wine’s freshness and clarity to take centre stage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe palate is supple and silky, with enough creamy texture to feel generous and a lively citrus acidity that keeps everything light on its feet. Peach and apple flavours flow into a dry, refreshing finish, leaving a lingering mineral impression. Delicious as an aperitif and particularly at home alongside seafood, this is the sort of Chardonnay that earns a permanent place in the fridge. Ready to enjoy now, it also has the balance to hold comfortably over the next few years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor when: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn ordinary evening calls for a particularly good bottle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePairs with: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrilled prawns with lemon butter, crab linguine, pan-fried sea bass, roast chicken with tarragon, courgette and Parmesan risotto, or a smoked haddock fish pie.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVillage Chardonnay offers an accessible introduction to the Brajkovich family’s style, combining fruit from Kumeu and Hawke’s Bay. In 2025, their limestone-grown Rays Road fruit accounts for 32% of the finished blend, adding a distinctive mineral edge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe 2025 season delivered excellent fruit quality in both regions, bringing aromatic intensity and concentration to this approachable bottling. Its generous flavour is balanced by crisp acidity, making this an especially satisfying vintage for enjoying young.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wine Republic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56393013363073,"sku":null,"price":17.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0916\/0513\/9841\/files\/2024-Village-Chardonnay-Kumeu-River.png?v=1762286413","url":"https:\/\/www.wine-republic.co.uk\/products\/2025-village-chardonnay-kumeu-river","provider":"Wine Republic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}