This month’s grape gab is about the Chenin Blanc grape and its contribution to a fascinating variety of wine styles; we also engage in a little “who’s the grape daddy” and a little more Chenin chatter. Finally, the factoid is all about the sharbat. The shar-what? We think you’ll love it as much as we did! Cheers ~
In Our Glasses:
Steph: “2015 Hecht & Bannier Languedoc Blanc which is 50% Piquepoul Blanc, 25% Roussanne and 25% Grenache Blanc ($12) …. Because I didn’t have any Chenin Blanc wines on hand… that I can open. I’ve got a 2010 Quarts de Chaume ½ bottle stashed away for my niece and 3 different vintages of Savennières that I’m aging.”
Val: “I’m drinking the 2015 Ste Chapelle Panoramic Idaho Series Chenin Blanc. Yes. Idaho. I did mention this winery back in Episode 75, so I won’t blah blah blah about it. But I will mention again that this is Idaho’s oldest winery, founded in 1975.”
Steph: “I wish I had another bottle of that Ste. Chapelle “Panoramic” Chenin Blanc from Snake River Valley, Idaho that you gave me. What a show-stopper bottle that was! The acidity and vibrancy was terrific. I opened it on a night I was making homemade pizza, which happens about once a week, and it was perfect with a margarita pizza.
“But we really want to get to the Chenin chatter!”
Main Discussion : Grape Gab: Chenin Blanc
What it is:
A white grape that is associated with the Loire Valley and South Africa, where it is known as “Steen.”
AKA: Some of the other synonyms for CB include: Anjou, Gros Pineau, Pineau de la Loire, and Plant d’Anjou in the Loire. In Spain it is known as Agudillo.
Where it comes from:
Well, we already mentioned the Loire Valley in Northwestern France, but Chenin Blanc can be traced back to the 15th century by historians who believe that Anjou, a subregion of the Loire, is its original home. UC Davis traces this grape back to 845 A.D. (UC Davis.edu).
Who’s yer daddy? As we like to talk about occasionally, it’s interesting to see what two (or more) grapes got together to create the Chenin Blanc variety we know today. It is believed to be the offspring of Savagnin and _____ (insert unknown grape name here, because it’s not known) – which also gave us the CB siblings Trousseau and Sauvignon Blanc.
But if we want to get all “family grape tree” we can tell you that CB and the Gouais are the proud parents of Colombard, one of the grapes of the Cognac & Armagnac regions
The grapes:
Big bunches, small- to medium-sized berries, and early budding. The grapes are yellow-green, and they are susceptible to things like rot and mildew, as many grapes are. But let’s not forget Botrytis is this grape’s absolute friend!
In the glass:
So versatile! Chenin is used to make everything from refreshing sparkling wines to unctuous dessert wines like the Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume.
Flavors range from tree fruits (apple, pear, quince) to honey, depending on the style. Additionally, it holds its own with respect to acidity that balances out sugars. This makes Vouvray a traditionally rocking food wine and a timeless crowd-pleaser.
Old and New World Styles:
Still or light wine styles range from dry to sweet (or moelleux) in the form of Vouvray or the cerebral Savennieres. Ken Forester’s FMC is a stunning example of South African Chenin Blanc.
Talk about some #W25Challenge fun:
In Amador County, California, Charles Spinetta makes an Amador “Frost Wine” from Chenin.
Ken Forrester also makes a late harvest Noble Rot – dessert style version of South African Chenin Blanc.
Where else can we find a good CB?
California, Washington State, New York State, some in South America, and smatterings in Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and India – among others
Side note from Steph:
“Remember when we had Jordan Cowe on the show back in episode 121, well I signed-up for his 30 Day Winefulness Challenge, and low and behold, his welcome email included some wine suggestions to try and one of them was Chenin Blanc. Yes! That’s actually what motivated me to open the bottle Val gave me from Idaho.”
Factoid:
Steph: “Did I tell you about my discovery of sharbats? I never heard the word before until I read about it in the Eating & Drinking section of the Wall Street Journal. It sounds exotic, but it is simple syrup with an infusion of fruit, herbs or flowers. Many bartenders and mixologists are making their own now, but not necessarily using the term sharbat.
“The word sharbat comes from the Arabic word for drink, sharab. It is also where the words sherbet, sorbet and syrup come from. The mother of all sharbats, called sekanjabin, is flavored with mint and vinegar. Some might say it is the original Gatorade!
“There are many ways to experiment with flavor as well as creating unique non-alcoholic mocktails, like the Rose Water and Tumeric Sharbat I made for my dad.”
Some other sharbat recipes from NDTV and My Persian Kitchen:
Wino Radar:
The Future of Wine Survey that Cathy Huyghe posted on FaceBook. Robert Joseph, a British wine writer, put together the survey, and anyone can take it. It is your chance to voice your opinion and also enter to win a bottle of Cristal.
Shoutouts:
Steph: “I have two shoutouts!”
- “I finished Lisa Mattson’s memoir The Exes in My Glass and have to say that I loved how much fun it was. I also know a few people that will get a real kick out of it, so those are Christmas gifts in the waiting.
- “Also, big thank you to Birk and Lisa at Iconic Wines for designing me a Wine Heroine / Chardonnay Heroine costume for the Marathon du Medoc. The cape, mask and tank top are in route to my house as of today! I’m such a dork!”
Patreon Love:
Thank you to our Patrons who support us on the crowdfunding platform called Patreon!
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- Jen in Maryland! A little more about Jen:
“Jen first met Val in the military — sporting premium denim, sharing cocktails (of course), and making mischief in Southern Pines, NC. They’ve remained friends through life transitions & Jen is now also a fan of the dynamic & fabulous W25 duo. She’s thrilled to support the podcast as a Patreon, just as the podcast supported her budding relationship with her ridiculously good looking & charming significant other (Andrew) — W25 podcast makes for great listening over a weekly commute to see one another, and they’ve both enjoyed W25 gals keeping them company for their weekend drives. Inspired by Val & Steph, both Jen & Andrew are now new SWE members! ”
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