Tormentoso Chenin Blanc 2011 750ml

Winery: Tormentoso

Varietal: Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is widely recognized as being one of the finest and most versatile white wine grape varietals in the world. In their native home of France's Loire Valley, wineries have used this varietal for centuries to produce a wide range of excellent wines, made possible by the fact that the high acidity in the grapes allows vintners to produce everything from dry, still varieties, to sparkling crémants and sweet dessert wines. One of the key features of this grape, and one which has won it many admirers, is the fact that the transparency of the varietal allows it to express the finer features of the terroir it is grown on, and also allows it to demonstrate the skill of the winemaker in the bottle. These grapes are a hardy varietal, growing well in moderate climates and in heavy clay-like soils all over the wine producing world.

Country: South Africa

Perhaps the most famous and well respected of all the wine regions in South Africa is that of Constantia, which holds many of the oldest and most traditional wineries in the country. Here, the temperate climate receives the Atlantic winds which cool the vineyards, and the fertile soil allows the grapes to grow to full ripeness, resulting in highly flavorful wines which are enjoyed around the world. Whilst Sauvignon Blanc varietals make up the most widely exported wines of this region, the rest of the country produces a huge and impressive range of wines, made up from varietals native to many different European countries. From excellent Champagne style sparkling wines, to aromatic fortified examples, fruity reds and refreshing whites, South Africa continues to impress and surprise, with modern techniques and technologies leading the way and producing exceptional results.