Vinum Africa 2008 Chenin Blanc

Caitlin's family has been in town all week. They are fixing up the condo, organizing, and preparing an awesome Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.  I think they have fed me for the past three nights, so tonight it seemed like time that I cook a little something for them.  I made a simple paella, the recipe for which was on an iPad app called "How to Cook Everything."  The only ingredients were rice, stock, olive oil, chicken/shrimp, onion, saffron, salt, and pepper.  It was super easy--I made double the recipe thinking people would eat a ton, but we had a huge tupperware left over because it was so filling.  On the side I served a tomato salad in a chili-balsamic vinaigrette.  Tomato salad is traditionally more of a summer dish, but I wanted something fresh and simply flavored that would not clash with the paella.  With dinner we had a Chenin Blanc that one of Caitlin's coworkers brought to our last party.

In my head I had equated Chenin Blanc with Sauvignon Blanc.  I expected the chenin blanc to be light, crisp, maybe even a little watery--something that would accompany the shrimp and rice without much noise.  How insensitive of me; chenin blanc is its own distinct varietal, as I later learned, completely unrelated to the other blanc.  In South Africa, chenin blanc is also known as Steen and is the most widely planted varietal in the region.  Chenin blanc is rather malleable, in that depending on the terroir (climate, soil, etc.), the grape can create very different flavors, acidity, and sweetness in the wines it becomes.  South African chenin blancs are usually on the drier side with tropical fruit notes, while those wines from Loire, France, can be sweet or dry, still or sparkling.

This chenin blanc was heavier than I expected.  It reminded me a little of a viognier.  These are white wines that really sit in your mouth; they aren't refreshing or light like a sauvignon blanc, but they have a lot of character.  You can tell from the color--a deeper yellow--that there is more going on in the glass than with other whites.  The Vinum was thick and fruity, a little tart, but not overly sweet.  Caitlin tasted lime and honey--I didn't get that far, but I trust her palate.  This is definitely a white wine for people who like wine, not for the cocktail party white wine drinker.  It is a serious wine for a serious meal, and I think it matched well with the (slightly) greasy paella.  Not guzzleable, so good pair with dinner.

I googled the bottle, and it runs about $20.  I would recommend it, but only if you actually want to taste your white wine before you swallow it.