Durban - Chenin blanc, the white grape variety with its roots in the Loire Valley of France and its home in virtually every wine-growing region globally, is known for its high acidity.
It has the ability to produce everything from sparkling wines to well-balanced dessert wines, with wine guru Jancis Robinson describing chenin as the world’s most versatile grape.
In South Africa it is the most widely planted variety, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the vineyards, and was likely to have been one of the first grapes grown by Jan van Riebeeck in 1655. Another option is chenin arrived via the French Huguenots in 1685, but either way it has a long association with our soils.
Hence, it is fitting that, coinciding with the 20th Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards this year, a new chenin trophy has been announced, sponsored by Cape Town-based closures company Juvenal Cork.
Michelangelo MD Lorraine Immelman says the new trophy recognises the quality revolution happening in chenin, as evidenced in the growing number of premium options of this varietal on the market. The 2015 competition saw a 25 percent growth to 126 in the number of chenins entered and judged by the panel of international judges.
This year’s Platter’s Wine Guide awarded seven five-stars to chenins, namely:
* Botanica Mary Delany 2014
* David and Nadia Sadie Hoë-Steen 2014
* Eenzaamheid 2013
* Kaapzicht The 1947 2014
* Keermont Riverside 2014
* Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve 2014
* Mullineux Granite 2014.
In the past few months several bottles of chenin have also passed this desk for tasting, with three particularly standing out. The Fleur du Cap Chenin Blanc Unfiltered 2015 (retail price: R108), Avondale Anima Chenin Blanc 2013 (R198) and Babylonstoren Chenin Blanc 2015 (R79) are each worthy of their price tags in their different categories.
The Fleur du Cap was only the second vintage of the varietal in the winery’s top tier brand and the grapes come from 20 and 30-year-old gnarled bush vines in Paarl and Darling. The Avondale (where ‘anima’ refers to the vital life-force or soul) was produced from wholly certified organic grapes from vines ranging between eight and 32 years, while the Babylonstoren is a light, crisp fruit-driven unwooded wine ideal for summer evenings.
The Mercury
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