Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc

The Leeuwenkuil Chenin Blanc 2016 (NLC $16.62) is a recent arrival from South Africa at the NLC. This is another major French varietal, although it has not achieved the international recognition or status of its French relatives such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay.

The grape is best known in France in important appellations in the Loire region such as Anjou, Bonnezeaux, and Vouvray. It shares parentage with another popular vine from the Loire, Sauvignon Blanc. Like Sauv Blanc, it features high natural acidity which makes it suitable for sparkling, dry, off-dry, and sweet wines. The sweet wines can benefit from the grape’s susceptibility for “noble rot” in favourable years, making them a price-sensitive (and delicious) alternative to expensive Sauternes.

Acidity allows aging, and Chenin wines tend to develop from apple and tropical aromatics in their youth to honey and floral bouquet with age. Well made wines have amazing aging potential allowing for full development of tertiary flavours.

Although France (and Loire) is its birthplace, Chenin Blanc has found a new home in South Africa where it remains the most widely planted variety. It has been farmed for hundreds of years in the country, although its origins there are murky. For many years it was the mainstay of wine production, including the source for brandy and fortified wines.

The Leeuwenkuil is nicely balanced with restrained acidity, light body, somewhat delicate flavours of apple and pear, and a noticeable minerality (think of it as “wet stones”) in the background. Score: 14/Good.

Haskop Berry

I am fond of trying any sort of wine made from an unusual grape, or from an unusual location. When I stumbled across the Haskap Berry Wine (NLC $20.30 for 375 ml) I had to give it a try. I had never heard of a haskap berry before, and of course, I had never had a wine made from such a berry!

A little bit of research indicates that this berry, also called the “blue honeysuckle” is found throughout the cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere, and probably right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. Does anyone know this berry by another local name perhaps? The berry comes from a shrub which stands about 1.5 meters tall, and seems to prefer wetlands and peaty soils (it must grow here!).

Apparently this fruit is all the rage across Canada and North America and is being cultivated for purposes including jam, juice, wine, and fresh eating. This berry wine hails from Nova Scotia. As billed, it does show plum and blueberry character, and would likely go well paired with soft goat cheese, or a light fruit salad. Score: 13/Good.

Upcoming Events

The NLC is hosting the Ameritaliano Wine Show at the Delta Hotel on April 1st. The show will feature wines from the US and Italy. There are tasting sessions in the afternoon, and evening; a lunch tasting which includes access to the afternoon tasting session, and the usual NLC wine store for show purchases.

There are plans being made for a tasting of some well-aged Taylor’s vintage port (including some from the 1960s) at Raymond’s, late in the spring – likely May or June. Stay tuned for details.

Next Posting

Opimian Cellar Offering C247 with wines from Italy, Chablis, and a “surprise region” will be out on February 17 and will be the subject of my next posting.