Summer breeze…makes me want WINE! Seriously.

Jul 19 2009

One of my favorite summer pastimes is sitting outside, in the heat, drinking a cold glass of something wonderful – like a dry riesling, or a chenin blanc. In fact, let’s talk a little about the wonderfully versatile wine that is chenin blanc. What it is, what it pairs with, and which one I think fits the bill for summer drinking this year.

First off, what IS chenin? Well, the grape, vitis vinifera, is a wonderfully versatile fruit, that’s used to create many a dry white wine. Also, it’s common in dessert wines, sparkling wines and even forms of brandy. The grape does well in warm climates, even in climates considered too warm for other varietals, which is why Washington State has the perfect climate for this grape and many others.

Chenin blanc traditionally pairs well with many foods. The “white wine staples” like chicken or fish go well, and chenin can be a treat for all you asparagus lovers out there. I, on the other hand, like to venture into the unknown a little with my wine pairings, so read on.

Let’s get to the good stuff – the wine! One of my favorite chenin wines that has been consistently good throughout the years has been the L’Ecole No 41 “Walla Voila” Chenin Blanc. It is a tart but sweet white with a wonderful nose and taste that can only be described as clean and crisp. Imagine taking a ripe pear and smashing it together with a big Georgia peach then drizzling honey over it.

The wine sits at 13.5% alcohol, but is nicely balanced so it doesn’t leave you with a hot, alcoholic burn. It’s slightly sweet, but acidic enough that it goes great with heavily seasoned chicken and fish alike. I recently paired a bottle with “jerk” chicken, which was spicy enough to make my mouth (and eyes) water from just the smell. Even though the chicken spiciness was high, the wine stood its ground. Fresh grilled asparagus on the side made it a great meal combo! Grab a bottle or two of the current vintage of the L’Ecole Chenin Blanc and enjoy it on your patio, deck, or boat tonight because this wine…screams summer!