Chenin Blanc

Wine on Safari in South Africa – What is Available?

(January 2019) Going on safari to witness the majesty of the big five animals (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) is a dream held by many people, but for wine lovers there is also the question of “how is the wine on safari?” Fortunately in South Africa, the answer is “great,” because with more than 700 wineries in the country, South African safari lodges can afford to be generous with wine, and they are rightly proud to show off the delicious and well-balanced wines of their country. Elephant Sighting on Safari in South Africa I am lucky to [...]

By |2021-01-22T22:24:23-08:00January 21, 2019|

Antique Chenin Blanc Vines in the Loire Valley at Plou & Fils Winery

80 year old chenin blanc vine (Monday, May 19, 2014) Our next stop was a small family winery called Plou & Fils that was located in the Amboise AOC. Started in 1508, the vineyard and winery had been passed down the generations to the current general manager and enologist, Matua. He was tall, energetic, in his early 30’s, and with a great sense of humor. He beckoned for all 31 of us to follow him up a small dirt trail to the top of a hill where their vineyards were situated. As we were walking towards an amazing vineyard of ancient gnarled vines, [...]

By |2021-01-23T15:07:31-08:00December 31, 2014|

Visit to Chambord Castle and Caves de Vouvray

Chambord Castle in Loire Valley (Monday, May 19, 2014) We departed Paris promptly at 8am and arrived at the castle of Chambord around 10:15.  Everyone was awestruck at the grandeur of the “hunting palace of the kings” with more than 400 rooms.  After touring Chambord, we drove a short 15 minutes to the town of Blois where we had time for lunch and witnessing the amazing mechanical dragons that emerge from the Hudini building on the square of the Chateau. Next we drove about 40 minutes to the charming village of Vouvray where we had an appointment for a tour and [...]

By |2021-01-23T15:17:44-08:00December 30, 2014|

South African Wine Dinner at the Cullinan Hotel

(Sept. 22) – The evening I arrived in Capetown we were invited to a wine tasting hosted by the Cape Wine Masters. Conveniently it was held in the Cullinan Hotel, so our group of around twenty MW’s just had to take the elevator to the mezzanine level where the tasting of 62 wines from across South Africa was set up. The regions included: Paarl, Elim, Klein Karoo, Robertson, Hemel & Aarde, Durbanville, and Swartland. My favorite wines of the evening included: - South African sparkling wines, especially the Monroe 2007 Cap Classique and Simonsig 2007 Blanc de Blanc - All [...]

By |2021-01-23T16:25:30-08:00October 5, 2012|
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