Tag Archives: Chenin Blanc

Black Elephant Vintners Rebels of the Vine Chenin Blanc

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OCTOBER WINE CLUB:

Crisp Wine StyleRebels-of-the-Vine-Chenin-BlancBlack Elephant Vintners
Rebels of the Vine
Chenin Blanc
Swartland, South Africa

CRISP WINE STYLE

This is a refined offering with aromas of tropical fruit and green apple. Its good minerality leads to a fleshy and fresh finish.

Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
Analysis: 13% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.44
TA: 5.6 g/L
RS: 2.5 g/L
Appellation: Swartland, Western Cape, South Africa
Drinkability: now-2025
Harvest yield: 6.5 tons per ha.
Food Pairing: Makes a fine partner for light fare such as fish, shellfish, white meat and salads, but is equally delightful by the glass.

Photo-By-Black-Elephants-Vintners-CoIn the vineyard: The grapes are sourced from dry-land farmed bush-vine Swartland Chenin Blanc. Dry-land conditions naturally limit crop yields and produce riper berries with balanced acidity when picked at optimum ripeness.

In the cellar: No oak or commercial yeast was used during the fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine was left on the lees for as long as possible to enhance richness on the palate.

The vintage: This vintage followed a normal to good winter. Harvest started late due to cool spring and early summer conditions but commenced briskly after some nasty heatwaves.

About the winery:
Rooted in Franschhoek, Black Elephant Vintners & Co. is a winery dedicated to breaking traditional winemaking rules. Their diverse portfolio of wines captures the spirit of creativity, blending serious winemaking with an element of fun. Known for pushing the boundaries, they embrace innovation while paying homage to the region’s rich history, inviting those who love exploration to join them on their journey. Click here to learn more.

Try this wine with the following recipe…

apple-chicken-saladApple Salad

INGREDIENTS:

Salad

  • 8 cups fresh mixed greens lettuce
  • 1 large apple such as Pink Lady or Honeycrisp
  • 1 large pear
  • 2 ½ cups shredded seasoned rotisserie chicken
  • ½ cup dried tart cherries or dried cranberries
  • ½ cup candied pecans coarsely chopped
  • ½ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta or gorgonzola cheese

Dressing

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Place salad greens in a large bowl. Core and thinly slice apples and pears (peel if desired). Chop the chicken and add to greens. Add dried cherries.
  2. Combine all dressing ingredients in a mason jar and shake to combine. Taste and adjust to personal preferences.
  3. Toss salad with 80% of dressing, then add chopped candied pecans. Top with crumbled cheese, drizzle remaining dressing, sprinkle sea salt if desired, and serve immediately.

Information & Photos © Black Elephant Vintners – All Rights Reserved.
© Recipe courtesy of Chelsea’s Messy Apron.

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Maison Biotteau Anjou Blanc

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Tandoori ChickenTandoori Chicken

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 ½ pounds bone-in, skinless chicken thighs and drumsticks
  • 2 juicy lemons
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • ¾ cup plain yogurt
  • ½ medium onion, peeled and quartered
  • 5 garlic cloves
  • 1 (¾-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and quartered
  • ½ fresh hot green chile, roughly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
  • lemon wedges

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Make two diagonal incisions, each about 1 inch long, on center of each side of chicken pieces. (Slits, which should not start at an edge, should be deep enough to reach bone.)

  2. Place chicken pieces on a rimmed baking sheet. Squeeze 1 lemon over chicken, and sprinkle with salt. Gently rub 1 teaspoon salt and lemon juice into slits. Turn chicken over and repeat with remaining lemon and salt. Set aside for 20 minutes.

  3. Blend yogurt, onion, garlic, ginger, green chile, and garam masala in a food processor or blender into a smooth paste, about 3 minutes. Transfer spice paste to a large bowl. Add chicken to bowl and turn until coated evenly in spice paste, being sure to get paste into slits. Cover chicken and refrigerate at least 5 hours, up to 24 hours.

  4. Heat charcoal grill to high. Grill chicken over moderately high heat, basting with butter, until browned, 10 minutes. Turn and cook, basting with remaining butter, until lightly charred and cooked through, about 12 minutes. Squeeze lemon wedges over chicken and serve with naan bread.

© Recipe courtesy of Madhur Jaffrey of Food & Wine.

AUGUST WINE CLUB:

Crisp Wine StyleBiotteau_Anjou-Blanc_bottleMaison Biotteau
Anjou Blanc
Chenin Blanc
Loire Valley, France

CRISP WINE STYLE

This wine is pale yellow straw in color and shows characteristics that are typical of the variety. With honeyed notes of apricot giving way to a tangy mineral finish, this off-dry white has a fresh acidity. On the palate, the wine is bright, full-bodied and focused.

Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
Appellation: AOP Anjou
Production Region: Loire Valley, France
Vinification: The grapes are harvested from the schist and limestone vineyards when beautifully ripe and then sorted in the cellars to ensure they retain as much of their complexity as possible. Vinified traditionally with slow maceration at low temperature, gentle clarification and bottling in late spring.
Pairings: Fish (cooked or sushi), Indian or Asian-inspried dishes, herb-roasted pork or chicken

Maison Biotteau

Maison Biotteau at Château d’Avrillé

Vineyard Notes:
This wine is produced by the Biotteau Family at the Château d’Avrillé. The castle is located in the heart of Loire Valley, more precisely in the Anjou area. Geographically, the region is divided into two dominant profiles based on soil types. The first of these, “Anjou Blanc,” lies toward the west of the appellation, where chalky limestone soils impart a lighter, more energetic expression of Chenin. Then, there’s “Anjou Noir”, referring to the dark volcanic schist soils of the easternmost edge of the Massif Armorican, where Chenin assumes a richer, more full-bodied character. Sourced from vineyards that fall exactly along the border of these two sub-regions, this gorgeously subtle white from fourth-generation winemaker Pascal Biotteau comes from the village of Saint-Jean-deMauvrets, situated on the old Roman road from Angers to Poitiers.

Information & Photos © Maison Biotteau – All Rights Reserved.

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February Bubbly Club: Iowa

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Bubbly Wine ClubClara-Vie-Brut-NatureClara Vie
Blanquette de Limoux Brut Nature
France

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

This Bubbly blend of Mauzac, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay is crystalline yellow in color with golden hues as it pours. The nose is intense with delicate scents of hawthorn and crisp green apple offsetting the nutty, pastry-like richness imparted by the extended tirage. A freshness sweeps over the palate with waves of citrus fruits, tart apple, Mirabelle plum, and golden flowers all lingering into a harmonious finish.

Varietal: 90% Mauzac, 5% Chenin Blanc, 5% Chardonnay
Terroir: 20-40 year old vines grown on gently sloping hillsides formed of calcareous clay in a Mediterranean climate
Elevation: 650 feet
Farming: Sustainable Farming
Aging: 24 months in stainless steel tanks
Bottled: At the winery
Certification: Certified Terra Vitis
Serving Temperature: Serve between 44ºF – 45ºF
Food Pairing: Enjoy as an aperitif or throughout the meal

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Clara Vie is a custom cuvée between JP Bourgeois and Françoise Antech, the sixth-generation member of Maison Antech-Limoux, a family-owned winery in France for over five centuries. Since the late 19th century, the family has been invested in the winemaking traditions of their region, taming their magical terroir to make fine sparkling wines. In 1996, Françoise stepped in to carry on the family traditions, while raising Antech to the ranks of the greatest sparkling wine makers. The secret of their character comes from a combination of Limoux’s three terroirs (the backbone of their cuvées): freshness from the Pyrenees, minerality from the ocean and roundness from the Mediterranean. Learn more here.

Von-winning-brutVon Winning
Riesling Extra Brut
Pfalz, Germany

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

This Riesling Extra Brut has a soft, citrus aroma with an elegant spiciness on the palate.

“Based largely on vintage 2016 and on grapes from Ruppertsberg (especially Linsenbusch), this offers a mouthwatering and remarkably Chablis-like evocation of salted, herbed chicken stock and oyster liquor. Walnut and peach kernel piquancy stimulate further on a brightly lemony, buoyant palate. The mousse is admirably fine, the long finish both cheek-pinching and salivainducing, irrepressibly juicy and loaded with animal as well as mineral savor…” – Vinous, Antonio Galloni; 92 points.

Varietal: Riesling
Vineyard: Selection of different vineyards in and around Deidesheim
Soil: Chalky, loess-clay soils and red sandstone
Farming: Practicing Organic
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks used for first fermentation, then secondary fermentation in the bottle. Left on the lees for 24-28 months.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Formally called the Dr. Deinhard Estate, (now Von Winning) was founded in 1849, producing unique wines reflecting their vineyards in Ruppetsberg, Deidesheim and Forst. In 1907, Leopold von Winning, son-in-law of Dr. Andreas Deinhard, dedicated his life to creating the highest quality of wines with respect to the vineyards passed down to him. Today, Stephan Attmann and his ambitious team uphold this visionary’s tradition.  Learn more about their story here.

 

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August Sweet Club Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubBarton & GuestierBarton & Guestier
Vouvray Passeport
Loire Valley, France

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Bright clear yellow in appearance, the Vouvray Passeport has a fruit driven nose with subtle aromas of white flowers mixed with peach, pear, pineapple and carambola. On the palate, it is well balanced between fruit and flint, with a nice, refreshing finish.

Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
Region: Loire Valley, France – near the town of Tours
Classification: Appellation Vouvray Contrôlée
Soil: Clay and limestone base with sandy patches, where Chenin grows its best
Climate: Oceanic, mild and humid
Vinification: Pressing of the grapes with overnight settling – controlled alcoholic fermentation to preserve residual sugar
Viticulture: Low yields, hand tending, careful selection and minimal interference in the natural ripening of the grapes
Pairing: This wine is very versatile. It can be paired well with anything from cheese to appetizers, salads, fish, barbecue, or even spicy food or curry dishes. Best served between 46ºF and 50ºF.
Critical Acclaim:

  • Double Gold Medal – Wine Tasting Competition (WSWA) 2016 – USA – 2015 vintage
  • Double Gold Medal – York World Wine & Spirits Comp 2016 (2015 vintage)
  • Vivino Wine Style Awards 2017
  • “Best Buy” – Wine Enthusiast (2014 vintage)
  • 91 points Ultimate Wine Challenge ‘Finalist’ (2013 vintage)

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY: 
In 1725, Irishman, Thomas Barton settled in Bordeaux, France to start is company – now, the city’s oldest active wine house. His grandson Hugh teamed up with Frenchman, Daniel Guestier, and in 1802 their partnership became official. Since then, the company has reached over 130 countries. Learn more about their story here.

BEXBEX Winery
Riesling
Nahe, Germany

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The BEX Riesling is brilliant straw color. On the nose, there are aromas of orange blossom, lime and white grapefruit, while on the palate there are mouthwatering flavors of lime and mandarin orange. The wine finishes with notes of minerals and citrus zest.

Analysis: 10.0% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Riesling
Appellation: Nahe, Germany
RS: 2.4%
pH: 3.23
TA: .82 g/100ml
Aging: Fermented at cool temperatures (52)F-55)F), then aged in stainless steel tanks to enhance the wines fresh fruit characteristics
Closure: Twist off to preserve the zesty citrus and bright stone fruit nuances. This allows a slight effervescence to be sealed in, lifting the soft aromas out of the glass.
Pairing: Enjoy as an aperitif, pair with a light or spicy cuisine, or serve as a finale with a dessert
Critical Acclaim: Exceptional – “Best Buy” – 90 points: Beverage Testing Institute, Oct 2015

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section also pair well with an herbal cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

WINEMAKER NOTES – 2014 VINTAGE:
“The 2014 growing season was early and fast! Riesling shoots appeared on April 12, three weeks before the norm. Flowering was ahead of schedule and the vines ripened nicely through August when a period of strong rains occurred. Luckily Mother Nature delivered a nice dry September helping the grapes to reach full maturity. The hallmark of 2014 Riesling are sassy wines – crisp and lively with well-integrated acidity.” – BEX Winery

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Located 25 miles south of Mosel, in the Nahe (pronounced Nah-heh) region of southwest Germany; BEX Winery works to produce wines highlighting the distinct flavors of its land. Nahe is the most geologically diverse growing region in Germany. It’s known for its red slate/diverse soils, mild climate, and moderate rainfall – making distinct Rieslings with fresh fruit and floral aromas. Learn more about BEX Winery here.

© Photo by BEX Winery
© Photo by BEX Winery
© Photo by BEX Winery

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Peacock Wild Fernet Chenin Blanc

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pad-thai-3

© Photo by Cooking Classy

Pad Thai (with Chicken or Shrimp)

INGREDIENTS:

  • 10 oz Thai Rice Noodles
  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into small strips, or 1 lb extra large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup packed dark-brown sugar
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips and strips halved
  • 1 ½ cups matchstick carrots
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 5 green onions, whites minced, greens sliced into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cups bean sprouts
  • 3 large eggs
  • ½ cup unsalted peanuts, chopped
  • 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
  • red pepper flakes and sesame seeds (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Prepare rice noodles according to directions listed on package. In a mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice and fish sauce, set aside.
  2. While noodles are cooking, heat oil in a wok or a 12-inch deep sauté pan set over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté until cooked through, about 6 minutes. If using shrimp cook about 1 ½ minutes per side or until opaque.
  3. Transfer to a plate, leaving oil in pan. Add bell pepper and carrots sauté 1 – 2 minutes then add garlic, green onions and bean sprouts sauté 1 minute longer. 
  4. Push veggies to edges of pan and crack eggs into center. Cook and scramble until eggs have cooked through. Add in chicken, noodles and sauce and toss everything together and cook 1 – 2 minutes.
  5. Serve warm topped with cilantro, peanuts and optional red pepper flakes and sesame seeds.

© Recipe courtesy of Cooking Classy.

MAY WINE CLUB:

Silky stylePeacock_cheninNVFalse Bay Vineyards
Peacock Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc
Stellenbosch, South Africa

SILKY WINE STYLE

Aromas of peach, lime and green apple on the nose. These elegant flavors carry through onto the palate with a lovely freshness and a long, elegant finish. Enjoy this wine with a variety of dishes, including seafood, chicken risottos and Thai cuisine.

Varietal: 100% Chenin Blanc
Analysis: 13% alcohol / volume
TA: 4.8 g/l
pH: 3.5
RS: 2.5 g/l

“Chenin Blanc is regarded as the workhorse of the South African wine industry. It produces the bulk of our generic white wines. There are, however, some gems lurking amidst the flurry of Chenin blanc vineyards. Our goal is to identify these gems and allow them to be expressed in our Peacock Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc. Our Peacock Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc grapes stem from the Helderberg ward on the coastal outskirts of Stellenbosch (the home of Waterkloof). Over time, these old bush-vine vineyards (20—50 years old), planted in Chenin friendly soils, have found their natural balance and it definitely shows in the wine.” – False Bay Vineyards

© Photo by False Bay Vineyards

HARVEST AND PRODUCTION:
False Bay Vineyards follows a minimal intervention winemaking philosophy. Their grapes are tasted at regular intervals to ensure optimal taste and ripeness level. The grapes are hand-harvested and whole bunch pressed in a modern basket press. Wine undergoes natural clarification over a 24 hour period, without any added enzymes or settling agents. From here, the juice is fermented in stainless steel, concrete eggs and 600L old barrels with “wild yeasts” driven from the grapes; this process allows the flavors of the vineyard to be expressed in the wine. Due to the natural balance of the grapes, no additional tartaric acids are needed. The wine is fermented for about three months and then it is left on the secondary lees for another month before bottling.

ABOUT FALSE BAY VINEYARDS:
Waterkloof Winery’s sister company, False Bay Vineyards, produces two collections: the earlier drinking, yet refined Peacock Wild Ferment range, named after the brightly plumed birds conspicuous in and around Waterkloof’s vineyards and the False Bay wine range of easy-drinking yet quality driven wines. Named after South Africa’s most iconic bay, which frames much of the country’s premium wine-lands, False Bay Vineyards, was born from a desire to make ‘real’ wine affordable. Learn more about False Bay Vineyards here.

© Photo by False Bay Vineyards
© Photo by False Bay Vineyards
© Photo by False Bay Vineyards
© Photo by False Bay Vineyards

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December Sweet Club

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Sweet Wine ClubKiona Red Mountain Ice WineKiona Vineyards
Chenin Blanc Ice Wine
Red Mountain AVA
Washington

NECTAR WINE STYLE

While the Red Mountain AVA is known for big, powerful red wine, it’s also an exceedingly good place to grow white varietals. The Kiona Estate Vineyard has four acres of Chenin Blanc planted in a depression, ensuring a consistent freeze year-in, year-out. We don’t pick Ice Wine until the grapes are naturally frozen in the vineyard, typically picking in the early morning hours before the sun rises.

Ice Wine is one of the world’s most elusive and delicious elixirs. Kiona prefers to use Chenin Blanc, a varietal that allows for robust acidity and intense green and tropical fruit flavors. Kiona’s philosophy with this wine is to emphasize acidity over outright sweetness, a tactic that ensures a balanced, crisp wine that dances on the tongue.

Food Pairing Recommendations: Ideal with fruit desserts, including pastries and tarts.

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an herbal cheese, such as a gorgonzola. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Analysis: 9% alcohol / volume
pH: 3.26
TA: 8.63 g/L
Residual Sugars: 175 g/L
Vineyard Source: 100% Kiona Estate, Red Mountain, Washington
Vineyard Blocks Planted: 1976, 1983
Varietal Composition: 100% Chenin Blanc
Winemaking: 100% Stainless, 31.3º Brix @ Harvest

PRODUCTION: Heat accumulation tracked slightly behind the previous vintage on Red Mountain. Bloom occurred slightly ahead of historical averages, and during ideal weather conditions. Crop loads were heavy going into the summer, resulting in the need to perform additional thinning. Weather during harvest (September-October) was ideal. It’s a stellar high acid and high sugar vintage.

Photo by John Vitale of Washington Tasting

Photo by John Vitale of Washington Tasting Room Magazine


ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
While Red Mountain is known for big, powerful red wines, it’s also an exceedingly good place to grow white varietals. The Kiona Estate vineyard has four acres of Chenin Blanc planted in a depression, increasing the likelihood that we are able to produce Ice Wine. They don’t pick the grapes until they are naturally frozen in the vineyard, a process that concentrates the sugar and flavor to unprecedented levels.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
In 1975 John Williams and Jim Holmes’ families planted the first vineyard on Red Mountain, an area now known for producing some of the world’s most powerful, opulent wines of distinction. For three generations their families have worked side by side, hand in hand to craft exciting, vineyard-driven wines that capture the essence of Red Mountain. Learn more about Kiona Vineyards here.

Photo by Mark Roberts
Photo by: Kiona Estate Vineyard
Photo by: Kiona Estate Vineyards
Photo by Kiona Vineyards and Winery

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