Category: You Thought I Was French!

From: Paarl, South Africa

grapes: chenin blanc
Oh, this is clearly a world class Chenin Blanc from France, the planet Earth’s motherland for all things sophisticated and white. How do I know it’s from France? Well, the incredibly balanced and crisp palate features an acidity that tantalizes with citrus fruits and precious minerals. Coupling that with a concentration only possible with older vines, it could only be Français. Now let’s see that label so you can shower me with awe… ummmm… South Africa, you say? No way! That would have been my second guess. After all, Chenin from South Africa, known as ‘Steen’ is getting a lot of attention these days for challenging the French for Chenin royalty. Lievland, translated, means “love land” and there are few who come to this farm that aren’t charmed by its bucolic beauty. The first time the owners visited, they were struck by two horses that had adopted a baby springbok. This scene inspired their label.  Take that, France.