Quick Sip: Clarksburg Wine Company Chenin Blanc
Hello Friends,
Chenin Blanc is a French white-wine grape variety known for its wonderful diversity and high acid levels. It’s the liquid gem of Vouvray [Loire Valley, France], where it dates back to the 4th century and is capable of producing long-lived and expressive still to sparkling wines that range from crisp and dry to rich, sweet, and balanced. Chenin Blanc has several other vacation spots (South Africa, Washington State, California), but the Clarksburg AVA, an appellation just below Sacramento, is making a push to be its second home. In his book, A Vineyard in My Glass, wine writer Gerald Asher wrote, “Clarksburg: The right grape in the right place,” referencing Chenin Blanc. The region’s soil and warm/dry climate that is moderated by coastal influence, have welcomed both the successes of Chenin Blanc and Petite Sirah among other varieties.
Clarksburg Wine Company 2010 Chenin Blanc
The President of Clarksburg Wine Company, Jon Beckman, is rolling out the red carpet for the Chenin Blanc grape, producing three different styles (stainless, barrel fermented/matured, and a Chenin Blanc/Viognier blend). His Clarksburg Wine Company produces wine under its own name and also doubles as a custom crush facility for area vintners. I recently had an opportunity to share and enjoy two of the three Chenin Blanc wines they produce and invite you to review my notes below. My guests found the wines to be well-made, pleasant, and very food-friendly. Check out the link below to visit the Clarksburg Wine Company website. Their wines are currently available in Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Washington DC, North Carolina, and here in Virginia. Cheers!
The Clarksburg Wine Company
1) Clarksburg Wine Company 2010 Clarksburg Chenin Blanc (SRP $16): We enjoyed this selection with a grilled chicken salad and on its own. This ‘stainless’ selection is 100% Chenin Blanc and offers bright and fresh green apple, citrus blossom, and pear aromas accented by floral notes that extend through to the [lean] palate with snappy acidity and a lively citrus finish. This is a nice and refreshing bottle of wine that’s food friendly and won’t break the bank. Click here to find this wine.
2) Clarksburg Wine Company 2010 VS (Vouvray Style) Clarksburg [100%] Chenin Blanc (SRP $24): A percentage of this wine is barrel fermented in neutral oak and sur lie aged for 8 months. Vibrant [lemon] citrus, tree fruit with subtle honey and hay aromas fill the nose with a hint of lanolin and a [very] fine dusting of spice. There is lots of tangy citrus on the palate with a mild fleshiness to the texture with fresh, food-friendly acidity and a pleasant medium-length finish. This is a pleasing example that offers heightened complexities and mouth-feel that can stand up to something slightly more substantial like grilled seafood or mussels in a lightly spiced cream sauce. Nice job, Mr. Gaudy. Click here to find this wine.
Click here to visit the Clarksburg Wine Company website.
Clarksburg Wine Company 2010 VS Chenin Blanc
Have a question about this post, friends? Feel free to leave a comment or send me an e-mail at myvinespot@yahoo.com, and as always, Happy Sipping! Stay tuned ...more to come. Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample. Thoughts are my own. Happy Sipping, my friends!
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