Page 96 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2025 THAILAND
P. 96

In the Pacific North-
            west, Oregon and Wash-                                              Recent Finds
            ington have limited Chenin                            Fine $14 Sonoma value 2023 Dry Creek
            Blanc acreages, but pro-                          Vineyard Chenin Blanc Dry Clarksburg (To-
            ducers craft distinctive                          tal Wine). Sharp, light-mid green gold, low
            wines that reflect their                          viscosity (12.5 alc.); green fruit, pear, per-
            unique terroirs. Oregon                           simmon nose; low-mid acids; mid depth;
            tends to favor more acidic,                       short, easy-sipping pear and green fruit
            leaner styles.  With its                          finish. 15/88.
            warmer climate, Washing-                              $16 South African value (Total Wine)
            ton typically produces a                          2024 Blaauwklippen Chenin Blanc. Light-
            bigger, fruitier style of                         mid straw gold; pear, ripe fruit, honey, or-
            Chenin Blanc.                                     chard nose; low-mid acids; mid depth; long
               Chenin Blanc can also                          semi-lush tropical orchard finish. Easy sip-
            be found in smaller plant-                        ping (12.5 alc.) summer party wine. w/ap-
            ings in other wine regions worldwide, in-         petizers. 16/90.
            cluding parts of Argentina, Australia, and            Value $18 Chenin Blanc, Solana County,
            New Zealand. While perhaps not as promi-          Calif., 2022 Little x Little Mangels Vineyard,
            nent as in France, South Africa, or the U.S.,     Suisun Valley. Sharp mid-gold, low viscosity
            these regions occasionally produce good           (12.5 alc.); green fruit, pear, orange peel
            varietal examples, with local nuances.            nose; mid+ acids; mid+ depth; semi-long
               In conclusion, Chenin Blanc is a distinc-      crisp green apple finish. 16/90.
            tive wine worth exploring for its range of            Sonoma Coast 2023 DuMOL Chenin
            styles, high quality, value, and versatility      Blanc ($55 winery). Sharp mid green-gold,
            with foods and entertaining. From the             viscous (13.5 alc.); citrus, green apple, pear
            steely minerality of the Loire to the tropical    nose; mid+ acids; mid+ depth; long crisp
            vibrancy of South Africa and the burgeon-         green apple and stone fruit finish. 16.5/91.
            ing excellence of California, there is a
            Chenin Blanc for almost every palate and              Distinctive, lush French Chenin Blanc
            occasion. So, next time you reach for your        dessert wine, 2014 Château de Fesles Bon-
            usual white, consider sipping beyond the          nezeaux "Vin Rare" ($50, 500ml, Total
            usual suspects and discover the multifac-         Wine). Mid-deep gold, viscous; honey, apri-
            eted delights of Chenin Blanc. Here are           cot, cumin, Botrytis nose; low-mid acids;
            some wines to consider.                           good depth; long, rich, unctuous, stone fruit
                                                              finish. 17/92.















            96   WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER  2025
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