Kleine Zalze Bush Vine Chenin Blanc

A full and expressive Chenin from South Africa's Kleine Zalze

Chenin is most closely associated with France's Loire and is something of a hidden gem or enthusiast's wine - little know and overlooked by the mainstream, it makes some delicious wines with high acidity and ageing potential.

In the New World, Chenin is South Africa's most widely planted white grape and produces riper, fuller and more fruit-forward wines, but still with plenty of freshness.

For those interested, Bush Vines (aka Gobelet) is a reference to how the vine is maintained and pruned, rather than a reference to ruggedness or rusticity - see this article by Wine Doctor Chris Kissak.

Zalze Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2017 (£10, Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose) ripe peach and pineapple fruit, fresh and crisp with good aromatics, white pepper and minerality. Adept, supple and full.

Good.

Perfect for sipping, it will match with spicy foods such as chilli prawns or a seafood Thai curry.