Chenin Blanc is grown in many countries, but only in France (Loire Valley) and in South Africa is it prominent. Originally, it is a grape used to make sweet or off-dry wines. However, as dry wines are so popular now, most of the time you can expect a dry Chenin Blanc. This tasting demonstrated the variety is a chameleon, or in other words, terroir and winemaking have significant influence and dominate any inherent grape features. Following are brief notes on five of the wines tasted.
2021 Savage 'Never been asked to dance'(South Africa): White flower on the nose, white peach and pineapple on the palate; an elegant, quite classic wine with high acidity and a long finish (93 points).
2020 Mullineux 'Iron Chenin'(South Africa): Melon flavours, honey, and a slightly oily character; a balanced wine with good length (93 points).
2015 Nicolas Joly 'Les Vieux Clos'. This is quite a funky wine, quite dark, copper colour, a little cloudy, tastes of cut-up apple, apricot; loses some flavour down the palate (91 points).
2015 Domaine de la Taille Aux Loups 'Venise': This is a complex wine, still fresh, with apple and melon flavours; delivers a musky mouthfeel with a long and lifted finish (93 points).
2017 Domaine Guiberteau 'Clos de Carmes': white flower, great purity, elegant and refined with noticeable new oak influence; a bit Chardonnay like (95 points).
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