We were recently doing wine tour with wine lovers in the Loire Valley we tasted some really delicious chenin blanc wines, many of them. Chenin blanc has never really caught on as a trendy grape, not at all like riesling, with which it shares several characteristics. We have never understood why since it is a grape that gives fantastic wines. It is not very common but when you have it in the glass it is often easy to recognise. It has notes of honey, bee wax, apricots, citrus. It can be bone dry or lusciously sweet. And the wines can age magnificently. We had the great pleasure to taste one from the 50s on the tour. Here are two suggestions for wines to try that are widely distributed:
- Clos de Saint Yves, Domaine des Baumard, Savennières (~19 euro). A favourite from the Loire and a steal at that price.
- Langlois Chateau, Saumur Vieilles Vignes (~20 euro). Full-bodies and complex.
- Mullineux, Swartland Old Vines, South Africa (~19 euro). If you can find it. One of the big stars in South Africa. 74% chenin blanc.
