Light body, refreshing, mineral.
WINE DETAILS:
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Alcohol: 12.5%
Wine: MAN Chenin Blanc
Vintage: 2018
Winery: MAN Family Wines
Country/Region: Coastal Region, South Africa
Date: 1/3/20
Distributor: Fine Wine Imports
Notes: Light body, refreshing, mineral.
Nerd Alert: Jancis Ronbinson once called Chenin Blanc the most versatile grape on account of it being able to make still wines, sweet wines and sparkling. It is said that its origins date to the 9th Century and coming from the Anjou wine region in France. In South Africa, Chenin blanc is the most widely planted variety, accounting for nearly one-fifth (18.6%) of all vineyard plantings in the early 21st century. In 2008, there were 18,852 hectares (46,580 acres) of the grape planted, nearly twice the amount of Chenin blanc planted in France. This particular wine has ‘free-run steen’ on the label. Steen is how the grape was known in South Africa until ampelographers identified it in 1965. Free-Run means that the wine is made without being pressed.
Personal Note: I tried this wine in January and it was great. However my memory takes me back to the fall of 2018 when I hosted a tasting where we tried Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc from around the world. We had 4 Chenin’s. Washington, California, South Africa and France. Similar vintages yet such different profiles. An event I enjoyed quite as much as the company. Not everything was great though. I managed to break one of my Ridel glasses that day. But the south african wine…that was something memorable.
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