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Happy International Drink Chenin Blanc Day! Yes, there is literally a holiday for every single variety of vitis vinifera known to man – and if there’s not one now, there soon will be (I think wine bloggers and grape growers are secretly in cahoots behind this plethora of random boozy holidays). But hey, observing these wine holidays is keeping me on track here at The Rambling Vine – it’s kind of like a liturgical calendar but of the vinous sort.
OK, so why the hype over this white wine? you ask.
If you don’t already have one, pour yourself a glass of Chenin Blanc (or other wine at hand) and allow me to fill you in….
Chenin Blanc is one of the most versatile white wine grapes in the world that can be made into numerous styles, and that can match a terrific variety of food.
This grape, in particular, can do everything and do everything beautifully (a quadruple threat) – sparkling wine, light/lean/dry white wine, rich/aromatic/off-dry white wine, or sweet dessert wine. It’s one of the ultimate people-pleaser grape varieties, offering something for every taste and occasion.
Today, let’s go on a world “two-er” of Chenin Blanc (you’re used to my agonizingly bad puns by now, hopefully… if not, my apologies). 🙂
I’ve got two lovely Chenin Blanc wines for you to try: a Vouvray hailing from Old World France (birthplace of Chenin Blanc) and a Steen hailing from New World South Africa. I drank these at two separate times, the South Africa one most recently, but to really memorize the similarities and differences between the two styles open up both bottles together and do a comparative tasting. Have a Chenin Blanc showdown!
Wine #1: Bougrier ‘V’ Vouvray Chenin Blanc
- $16/bottle at Total Wine & More
- Serve slightly chilled
- ABV 11.5%
- This is Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, which is in the Loire Valley in France
- Medium body, lower acid, slight sweetness
- Peach, pear, apple, quince, cream, hazelnut intertwined with elegant minerality
- Recommended accompaniments include Fontina cheese and fruit
Wine #2: The Royal Old Vines Steen Chenin Blanc South Africa
- $17/bottle at wine.com
- Serve slightly chilled
- ABV 12.5%
- This is Chenin Blanc from the Riebeek Valley in Swartland, South Africa
- Pale straw color
- High acid, dry, medium-bodied
- Guava, apple, pear, gooseberry, citrus, honey, floral
- Recommended accompaniments include light summer fare, salads, antipasti, seafood
I feel like I enjoyed the Vouvray a touch better than the Steen, but both are very refreshing and delicious wines worth trying. The Steen was just more acidic and dry but that means it can work well as a companion to food.
Round up one (or both) of these bottles with some nuts, cheese, crackers, fruit, and charcuterie, and you’ve got the formula for the easiest summer dinner ever.
Chenin Blanc strikes me as a sort of odd love-child between Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay (which it is NOT actually, I’m just painting word pictures) – crisp acidity, light/medium body, and the gooseberry aromas of a Sauvignon Blanc but the apple/pear/tropical aromas and sometimes creamy texture of a Chardonnay.
If you haven’t tried one yet, consider this your invitation to explore.
For another great option, don’t forget my recent review of Mexican Chenin Blanc that I really liked. 🙂
Here’s to the many styles and locales of Chenin Blanc!
How about you? Are you imbibing some Vouvray, Steen, or other form of Chenin Blanc today? Do tell!
The Rambling Vine 