Indaba Chenin Blanc 2016

Today I get started on my exploration of South African wines.   Indaba Chenin Blanc 2016 is my first selection. Indaba is a winery in the Southern Cape of South Africa. They are Integrity & Sustainability certified by the Wine and Spirit Board of South Africa, this seal is a guarantee of the wine’s origin, vintage, and variety as stated on the wine label. It is also a guarantee that the wine complies with IPW criteria – Integrated Production of Wine, a voluntary environmental protection program. They do everything they can to protect the environment. The practices range from natural Habitation Practices to natural pest management. Water is a valuable and sometimes scarce commodity, they take the utmost care to save and recycle every bit possible.

The winemaker

The winemaker is Bruwer Ratt has been a winemaker with them since 2008. He is s widely known as the owner and winemaker of Raats Family Wines of South Africa. He monitors all aspects of the wine process for selecting the perfect grapes, To the finished product. All grapes are hand-picked at vineyards contracted to Indaba.  Grapes were sourced from select vineyard sites in Swartland, Paarl, Stellenbosch, Durbanville, Robertson and McGregor, characterized by soils of Table Mountain sandstone, decomposed Dolomite granite, shale and red Karoo clay. The vines range in
age from 5 to 35+ years old, and more than half are low-yielding dry farmed bush vines to make Indaba Chenin Blanc 2016.

The Grape

Chenin Blanc’s roots are in the Loire Valley of France and the most widely planted grape variety in South Africa and the Capes signature wine. Nearly one-fifth of all plantings are Chenin Blanc. The Dutch East India Company was instrumental in the importation of this and most wine varieties in S.A.  Chenin blanc is a white grape variety also known as Steen in South Africa.

What I found

I allowed the temperature to get to the proper range with my trusty Kelvin K2 about 45-48 degrees to bring all the aromas and flavors out. The color is a beautiful crystal clear straw color. Very lite and delicate. The aroma brings cut grass and pears to the top. I also find a hint of green grape. The flavor is crisp and fresh with the pear standing out with a touch of spice at the finish. It is a great dry wine with a long enjoyable finish. Only 1% of this wine is aged in French oak barrels. Alcohol is 13.2% I picked this up at ABC wines and Spirits for $8.99, a great price for a great wine.

Until next time have a Wine-derful week, stay safe and pop a few corks

Lew