DRINK DIFFERENT - VOUVRAY – A SOUTH AFRICAN ALTERNATIVE

Europe has so many wine regions which can claim to be the heartland of individual grape varieties (e.g. Pinot Noir in Burgundy, Syrah in the Northern Rhone, or Riesling in the Mosel Valley) – and it is when New World producers take these grapes and make interesting wine that these traditional geographical boundaries are stretched.

One such grape is Chenin Blanc, whose home is the middle Loire, producing wines such as Vouvray and Coteaux du Layon.  It’s a versatile grape which can make sparkling, dry and sweet wines, usually with plenty of acidity.

It is also the most planted varietal in South Africa, where the best producers keep yields low to create excellent single-variety wines which can stand up to many Loire examples, and is well worth a try if you are after something different.