Cool, calm chenin blanc

Is there an end to the utter fabulousness of chenin blanc? There are so many interpretations of this under-appreciated varietal, for any season and any mood. Try these and you’ll see what I mean. The great thing about chenin is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money for quality. You’re almost always guaranteed to get good depth of flavour and bags of character. The Leopard’s Leap Chenin Blanc 2017 (R46) is no exception. It might come from a large-scale winery, but the quality of the fruit still bursts forth in an unwooded explosion of tropical notes and fresh acidity. As the thermometer rises this summer, cool down with a glass of this wine. One of South Africa’s most prestigious wine competitions is the Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top 10 Challenge, which often unearths surprising gems from unexpected producers. This year the pick of the bunch was the Windmeul Kelder Reserve Chenin Blanc 2016 (R80) – a wine of astounding quality for the price. It’s made from grapes grown in the Paarl region and the fruit has been given a rich, creamy edge by spending some time in oak barrels. It’s the perfect wine to sip as the sun goes down. The wineries in the Breedekloof Valley near Rawsonville have generally favoured quantity over quality in the past. Not any more. The Merwida Family Vintners Chenin Blanc 2016 (R120) is the first premium wine from this family-owned estate, out to showcase the amazing grapes grown in the region. It’s made by sixth-generation winemaker Lieza van der Merwe, who has used well-established vines and old barrels to craft an elegant wine with richness and depth, enlivened by bouncy acidity and citrus flavours. Spoil yourself!