Chenin is King

Chenin is King, long live the King.

I was fortunate enough to be invited by the kind people of Wine Magazine to the Chenin Blanc Challenge 2011 awards lunch at Overture Restaurant. Lets just say I don't think they could have chosen a better venue: beautiful views, stunning food, relaxed vibe, great service and chilled Chenin Blanc...what could be better.

What of the wines: well personally I was very impressed. A very broad range of styles, some wooded, some rich and ripe, some elegant, and some great value. What the results proved is that the humble Chenin grape can produce a broad range of styles.

My thoughts on some of the winners, starting off with the value wines:

Leopard’s Leap 2010 @ R34.99 pb: great value, buy a case. Very elegant. Really surprised me.

Boschendal 2009 @ R45 pb: beautiful balance. Again not what I was expecting.

Kanu 2009 @ R35 pb: Well made, loads of fruit. Kanu has a reputation with Chenin, so no surprises.

Kleine Zalze Cellar Selection Bush Vines 2010 @ R33 pb: All those Sauvignon Blanc fans will love this! I am going to start a campaign to get people to switch from fashionable Sauvignon Banc to Chenin. This is the Chenin I would encourage people to start with...

Douglas Green Chenin @ R31.50 pb: Surprised? Douglas Green, Douglas Green (say it in your best Chinese accent)

Of the top end stuff I enjoyed:

Simonsig Avec Chene 2009 @ R127 pb: Pushing the boundary of plush, ripe, big, and bold

Graham Beck Bowed Head 2009 @ R95 pb: Kind of a half way wine, rich but not too rich, plush but not too plush. Good value for the quality.

Perdeberg Rex Equus 2008 @ R180 pb: The winning wine. The most expensive wine of the lot, so keep for the inlaws, the boss and other special occasions. Is it worth R180...I will let you decide.

Most of these wines are available from your local Pick n Pay, Checkers, Ultra, Wine Concepts or directly from the producers.

Cheers and enjoy!

Dionysus