Fleur du Cap Chenin Blanc 2008

south african chenin blanc are really making a statement. this is a new one for me and has some really interesting characteristics. selling for about $11, this very nice white has a nose of melons, peaches, some butterscotch and some interesting earthy, meaty notes. the palate is creamy and lush, with peaches, guava, honey and earthy notes. really interesting to get the earth notes like this in a chenin blanc. surprising but nice. very good wine for seafood, sushi, spicy asian food, or just enjoy it on its own.

Raats Original Chenin Blanc 2009

i am returning to south africa for this enticing chenin blanc from winemaker bruwer raats. this wine sees no oak, thus the 'original' title. the nose is grassy, with lemon peel and melon notes. the palate is somewhat like a sauv blanc, with some tropical fruit notes (minus the new zealand grapefruit flavor), some nice peach, mineral notes, and honeysuckle, all in a really nice crisp finish. sells for about $13-14 and if you like sushi, this wine is perfect for that. this could easily replace some of the slightly more expensive sauv blanc patio pounders that i like so much.

De Morgenzon Chenin Blanc 2008

back into south africa for another very nice white wine. de morgenzon is dutch for 'the morning sun'. this is a boutique winery in the stellenbosch region of south africa. chenin blanc guru teddy hall is the wine maker. selling for about $30, this wine has a nose of apple, apricot, some floral aromas, and spice notes. the palate is very pretty, with pears, tropical fruit, and toast up front. this is followed by some nice orange blossom and honey at mid palate and some grassy minerality in the finish. excellent food wine. i am thinking shrimp or tuna on the grill, summer salads, or a lightly spiced asian dish. search around for this one and you will probably be able to find it for less than the suggested retail price of $30. well worth it. excellent wine.

Indaba Chenin Blanc 2009

over the course of the next several weeks i am going to be tasting some wines from an area of the world that deserves a closer look. the under-rated area of south africa. they've been making wine there for 350 years and are producing some very nice, and in many cases, very affordable wines. the indaba brand is almost 15 years old and are from winemaker bruwer raats. this chenin blanc will compete with your favorite pinot grigio for time on your patio while the warm weather still prevails. sells for about $10, but i found it in a new york wine shop for $8, it has a nose of pears, tropical fruit, a little melon and citrus, and i got a little floral note too. the palate is very crisp with apple, pear, and honey flavors up front. there were nice mineral and tropical (pineapple) notes in the mid palate, followed by some violet in the finish. nice, clean finish. refreshing white to enjoy alone or with salad or seafood.

Graziano Chenin Blanc 2007

looking for a good summer time food wine? try this $10 chenin blanc from graziano wines, mendocino county. this white is dry and crisp, and has aromas of melons, pears and apples. the wine is aged in neutral french oak. the palate has lots of pear and mineral flavors, along with some nice yeast flavors in the finish. i like the way the wine finishes clean and crisp, with nice acidity. as for pairing with food, try this with a  nice summer salad, or it will work well with grilled fish or chicken.