The largest producer of Chenin Blanc is South Africa (around 50% of all plantings), however it originates from France and there are many great examples of it in the Loire. But the South Africans have taken to it as their national white grape. This doesn’t mean it is always treated with the respect it deserves! It often over cropped and blend to make cheap bulk wines. The wine is usually made into 2 styles a dry style with lots of tart pear and apple notes and some ginger spice and a slightly off dry style, with richer flavors of ripe pear, passion fruit, and honeycomb.
Mulderboscch ‘Steen op Hout’ Chenin Blanc 2017 €17.95
Sourced from mature vines grown predominantly in Stellenbosch, with one component being grown in Darling. This is a great example of richly flavoured Chenin Blanc from an excellent vintage. It has wonderful ripeness yet retains freshness and vibrancy from the first nose right through to the lasting finish. Ripe tropical aromas of mango, pineapple and papaya are lifted by a crisp, refreshing apple note. The palate is defined by a delicious fine mineral texture leading onto a succulent mid-palate. The final impression is one of a full flavoured, yet precisely poised Chenin Blanc. Equally lovely with roast chicken as with baked fish or just pair with good friends
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