Chenin Blanc is remarkably versatile with the variety producing some of the finest and most age-worthy sweet and dry white wines, as well as sparkling expressions. Here are 10 wines from this year’s Global Chenin Blanc Masters competition to savour. Tasting notes and food matching are provided by Patricia Stefanowicz MW. NEDERBURG HERITAGE HEROES THE ANCHORMAN OLD VINE CHENIN BLANC 2023 Producer: Nederburg Wines Region: Western Cape Country: South Africa Grape variety: 100% Chenin Blanc ABV: 14.38%, Approx. retail price: £15 Medal: Gold Certified as a South African Old Vine Project wine, this wine from Nederburg is sourced from vines that are close to 50 years old, and the grapes come from Swartland and Agter-Paarl. The wine, pale lemon-gold in colour, shows lemon custard, golden apple and apricot fruit, with a honey note and cinnamon and clove spices from well-judged use of oak. Dry, midweight, the palate flavours are balanced by lively acidity and well-integrated, creamy oak. Nicely focused and having good length, this wine will be an excellent pairing for braised chicken breasts with a Thai-inspired sweet red pepper, chilli-accented sauce. BIG HEAD WINES RAW CHENIN BLANC 2022 Producer: Big Head Wines Region: Niagara Lakeshore Country: Canada Grape variety: 100% Chenin Blanc ABV: 13.9% Approx. retail price: £29 Medal: Gold Hand-crafted, this is a ‘take-a-stepback’ style of wine. The RAW grapes from the vineyards are hand-picked and gently handled, then fermented with indigenous yeasts. Aged in concrete vats, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, but not much movement
This Article was originally published on The Drink Business - Fine Wine
