Val Di Terra launches a Chenin Blanc

The history of Chenin Blanc
The Chenin Blanc grape originates from the Anjou region of the Loire Valley in France, where the grape is also called pineau de la loire.
It was brought to South Africa in 1655, when Jan van Riebeeck brought cuttings of grapevines to the Cape. Locally it is known as Steen and has become the signature white grape of South Africa where it is the most widely planted white grape. In fact, currently South Africa covers more than double the acreage of Chenin Blanc than it enjoys in France. With an abundance of Old Bush Vines in the area, the grapes provide a variety of concentrated flavours with varying layers of intensity.

Why is Chenin Blanc popular?
Chenin Blanc has many personalities and characteristics. Dry styles have high acidity and are full bodied. Typical aromas include yellow apple, pear, quince, hay, wool, and wet stone.
• Off-dry (demi-sec) styles have riper fruit flavours such as peach, guava and honeysuckle.
• Sweet Chenin Blanc wines are made from late-harvest grapes and have concentrated notes of ginger, tropical fruit, marmalade, and honeycomb. This is suited to Noble Late Harvest dessert wine styles.
• Sparkling wines can also be made from Chenin Blanc.
• The grape is extremely versatile as it can be made into many different wine styles. It blends well with Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier, and Chardonnay to create a wide spectrum of styles to suit every palate and budget. Chenin Blanc grape juice is also used as the base for brandy production.

What would you serve with Chenin Blanc?
Chenin Blanc’s high acidity makes food and wine pairing very easy. It goes well with most foods, except red meat. Consider the sugar content, richness of the wine and whether the wine is wooded or not when pairing your menu.
A dry and lighter-bodied style will compliment any seafood dish, vegetarian or cheese-based starter. A full-bodied oak aged Chenin will suit more robust flavoured dishes such as roast chicken, Asian inspired dishes and pork. A sweet Chenin is the perfect match for pâtés and cheese boards.