Wine of the week - Zalze Chenin Blanc (South Africa)

Hi everybody,
Direction South Africa this week for another lush white wine!

 

What it is

Fruity white wine from the Coastal region of South Africa.
Made out of Chenin Blanc, the same grape as Vouvray in Loire.

What to expect

Medium Lemon colour
Dry wine with a intense smell of ripe tropical fruit (ripe pineapple, guava).
The palate is quite round and with strong intensive tropical fruit you have on the nose that very nicely disguise high alcohol.

UPFRONT TROPICAL WHITE WINE.
Verdict: 6-7/10 as lacks a little bit of finesse (based on wine shown)

 

Have it with
Can be drunk on its own but would suggest a lime&Garlic prawn or spicy (not hot) Asian cuisine

Where to find it
1) Waitrose - £6.99 (wine shown)
2) Tesco - £6.99 (wine shown)

Did you know

> Chenin Blanc originates from the Loire Valley in France.

> In South Africa, Chenin Blanc is known as 'Steen'

Wine of the week - Verdejo Bianco (Spain)

Hola amantes del Vino!

Spain is our special guest this week with a wine as sampled and rated with Kerry & Alistair.

What it is

Delicate white wine from Rueda in North-West (ish) of Spain.
Made out of the local Verdejo grape (min 50%) and usually blended with Sauvignon Blanc or Viura.

What to expect

Light pale lemon colour
Dry wine with a very elegant nose of stone peach with a lime-lemon undertones.
The palate reflects the aromas with a light wine with nice fruity attack and zesty citrus finish.
SIMPLE BUT LUSH PEACH AND LEMON WHITE WINE.
Verdict: 8/10 (based on wine shown)

Have it with
Creamy chicken with vegetables or pasta
Skate wings in light cream sauce or white fish
Chilli-free Thai chicken curry

Where to find it
1) Majestic - £ 7.99 on offer at the moment. Tried & Highly recommended
2) Waitrose - £8.49
3) Tesco - £7.79 (2 for £10 this week)
Asda and JS also do a version but I wouldn't vouch for them. Let me know what you think.


Did you know?

> The grape Verdejo actually originates from North Africa and was initially cultivated in the Rueda region for the production of Sherry.In the 1970's, Marques de Riscal (famous spanish wine bodega) saw the potential and started rejuvenating the interest in this forgotten grape.

> The grapes strongly benefit from the relatively cool nights in the region of Rueda and are usually harvested at night to preserve their aromas as much as possible.

> If labelled 'Rueda' Verdejo, the wine must contain minimum 85% Verdejo (like Majestic version above).

Enjoy this taste of Spain and send me your feedback & suggestions! Happy tipple!

:@lex

Wine of the week - BACCHUS from Tintern's Parva Farm (Wales)

 

- What is it?

Aromatic white wine made of Bacchus grapes from the village of Tintern in South Wales.

- What to expect

Light in colour, this dry/off-dry wine, unlike most English/Welsh wines, has got a nice aromatic nose of Elderflower and a good balance between acidity and sweetness.

Although not very complex, it makes a nice light white wine for aperitif.

- Have it:

For aperitifs with some home-cut celery sticks and houmous.

- Where to find it:

At the Farm for about £8.50 a bottle.

-  Did you know?

Bacchus is a cross between Riesling, Sylvaner and Muller Thurgau and, yes, these all come from Germany.
Bacchus is usually the most planted in UK vineyards as it ripens early and can still express nice and flavoursome aromas.

The Parva Farm’s first vines date back from 1979 and the current owners (Judith & Colin) have done a lot to revamp the little domain since 1996. It now produces around 4 to 7,000 bottles of wine/year. 

An ‘English/Welsh wine’ is a wine made of Grapes grown in England or Wales.
A ‘British wine’ can be made of grapes from anywhere in the world.

Bees have been a major threat for the grapes in the ripening season @ Parva Farm.