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C
is for Chenin Blanc
All
of us at ACWC hope you're enjoying your summer.
At the ACWC clubhouse, we look forward to the
end of each workday when we can crack open a
well-chilled bottle of Chenin Blanc, and pass
it around the conference table as we map out
our plans for the next day.
Chenin
Blanc may well be the perfect summertime wine.
While it's made in a variety of styles -- from
dry to off-dry to semi-sweet -- it always retains
a wonderful fruit character, and never fails
to quench a summertime thirst.
Enjoy!
The
Many Styles Of Chenin Blanc
 As
we inferred above, Chenin Blanc may well be
the world's most versatile wine grape. In addition
to the styles just mentioned, it's also made
into sparkling wine in some corners of the world.
It's
also a wine of many names. In addition to Chenin
Blanc, you may hear this varietal referred to
as "Vouvray" in France, as "Steen"
in South Africa, or by countless proprietary
or geographic designations.
As
an example, many bottlings from the following
French wine regions are made from Chenin Blanc,
but do not include the words "Chenin Blanc"
on their labels:
- Anjou
- Bonnezeaux
- Coteaux
de l'Aubance
- Coteaux
du Layon
- Jasnieres
- Montlouis
- Quarts
de Chaume
- Saumur
- Savennieres
- Cremant
de Loire
Off
The Radar Screen
Whether
dry, off-dry, semi-sweet, very sweet or sparkling,
Chenin Blanc tends to exist much like the middle
child in a three-child family. It's often ignored
-- not on purpose, but simply because so many
other wines tend to be the darlings of the wine
media.
And
that's a shame, because Chenin Blanc has plenty
to offer . . . from its very refreshing quality,
to its wonderful fruit flavors.
One
member of our tasting panel summed it up quite
nicely one recent afternoon at the clubhouse:
"The nice thing about Chenin Blanc being
off most folks' radar screens is that there's
usually plenty to go around for the rest of
us."
True
enough, although the legions of Chenin Blanc
fans are growing, and that means supplies of
the very best renditions are becoming more scarce
than in years past.
Chenin
Blanc's Defining Characteristics
When
you encounter the quintessential Chenin Blanc,
you'll recognize it by its honeyed and straw-like
flavor nuances.
Not
all Chenins possess these qualities, as the
regional characteristics of vineyards lend their
own influences. But virtually all Chenin Blanc
bottlings offer plenty of flavor and lots of
pure enjoyment.
And
isn't that what wine drinking is supposed to
be all about?
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