10 Chenin Blancs to drink this Summer

Versatile and intriguing, Chenin Blanc is not only one of the older wine grapes of the world, it’s also one of the more popular ones due to its appealing flavours and high acidity.

The Chenin Blanc grape is believed to have been first cultivated in the Loire Valley of France in the 9th century, but it was the winemakers of South Africa who really took this grape to heart. They made Chenin the most-planted grape in the country.

Last week 25 of South Africa’s top Chenin producers expressed their continued love for the varietal by showcasing their picks for summer at Meloncino in the V & A Waterfront. The tasting, hosted by the Chenin Blanc Association, was led by Jeff Grier of Villiera, who explained why summer Chenin Blancs differ from the Chenins we enjoy during the colder months.

Characteristics of a summer Chenin Blanc include lower alcohol level wines that are fresh and fruity on the palate. Most of the wines selected for the tasting were produced in 2014 and only a few of them spent time on wood. When it comes to price, most of the summer chenin blancs retail for less than R100. Also interesting to note – almost two-thirds of the wines entered into this year’s Summer Showcase were under screw cap.

The 25 Chenin Blancs were divided into five groups, each featuring five wines. Below is a list of the Chenins I enjoyed the most and will be enjoying this summer.