- Last updated on March 13, 2023
Welcome! This is our Kumeu River Village Chardonnay review.
Kumeu River Village Chardonnay is a white wine made from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown in the Kumeu region of New Zealand.
The winery was established in 1944 and is still family-owned and operated.
Kumeu River is known for producing some of the best Chardonnay in New Zealand, and the Village Chardonnay is one of their more accessible and affordable wines.
Find below our Kumeu River Village Chardonnay full review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Kumeu River Village Chardonnay Review
- Brand: Kumeu River Winery
- Grape Varietal: Chardonnay
- Region: New Zealand, Auckland
- Tasting Notes: Ripe Tropical & Citrus fruit notes
- Glass & Serving: Chardonnay / 45-50 °F (7-10 °C) / Don’t decant
- Store: Up to 3 Years
- Price Range: ~$20-$25
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Kumeu River Village Chardonnay review: What's its color?
Kumeu River Village Chardonnay has a pale yellow color, with hints of green.
When swirled, the wine forms elegant and delicate legs that slowly drip down the glass.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
Kumeu River Village Chardonnay taste like?
Kumeu River Village Chardonnay is entirely made from Chardonnay grapes and fermented 40% in old French oak barriques, and 60% in stainless steel tank.
On the nose, it offers aromas of ripe tropical fruit, such as pineapple and mango, as well as citrus and green apple notes.
There are also hints of oak and vanilla, which add complexity and depth to the wine.
On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with flavors of stone fruit, melon, and citrus.
The wine is well-balanced, with a crisp acidity that balances the fruitiness of the wine.
There are also subtle notes of oak and vanilla, which add complexity to the wine.
Is Kumeu River Village Chardonnay wine sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Kumeu River Village Chardonnay wine is a dry wine.
A dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Kumeu River Village Chardonnay review: Which food pairs well with it?
Kumeu River Village Chardonnay is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of foods.
It is particularly well-suited to dishes with rich and creamy sauces, such as chicken alfredo or shrimp scampi.
The wine also pairs well with grilled fish, such as salmon or halibut, and with lighter pasta dishes, such as linguine with clam sauce.
For vegetarians, the wine pairs well with roasted vegetables or vegetable risotto.
Cheese pairings include brie and other soft, creamy cheeses, as well as semi-hard cheeses like Gruyere or Comte.
Kumeu River Village Chardonnay review: What's its alcohol content?
Kumeu River Village Chardonnay wine’s alcohol content is 13.5%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of Kumeu River Village Chardonnay wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have a higher calories per glass than a wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per grams vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per grams of carbs, which include sugar.
Since this is an off-dry wine it will have a bit more than 4 calories per grams.
What is Kumeu River Winery?
Here is an extract from the Kumeu River Winer website:
“If you can taste history, duty, and family pride in a glass, it’s there in the Kumeu River Chardonnays…now producing some of New Zealand’s greatest Chardonnays, not to mention the world’s.”
Conclusion
Kumeu River Village Chardonnay is a well-crafted wine that offers exceptional value for its price point.
It is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes and is perfect for both casual and more formal occasions.
While it may not have the complexity and depth of some of Kumeu River’s more premium Chardonnays, it is a great introduction to the winery’s style and a must-try for any Chardonnay lover.
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Enjoy!
