Friday, November 27, 2009

Sweet Like Honey

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Wine Find: Ken Forrester 'Petit' Chenin Blanc 2008, Stellenbosch, South Africa ($9)

ken_forrester_chenin_blanc
Unlike cult Cabernet, Chenin Blanc is no one-trick lead actor. This grape is like an immensely talented character actor who can morph from a darling old lady in one flick to a tortured, angst-ridden mother in the next. Originally from the Loire Valley in France, Chenin Blanc makes a range of wines from bone-dry and light to stunningly sweet and succulent to vivacious and sparkling. The Ken Forrester, from South Africa, is bright and light with citrus fruit and the grape's signature honey flavor with a hint of spice.

Find it: This wine is nationally distributed and easily available. Call your wine store to see if they have it or

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I’ve had this wine! Rate it 1-5 stars and hit the comments with your notes.

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Hot Dish: Cheese and Honey

goat_cheese_honey

honey drizzle by missy & the universe

Chenin Blanc's sweet honey flavors make it a perfect match with tangy cheese like fresh goat cheese. Even better? Drizzle the cheese with a bit of honey (orange blossom or lavender if you can find it) and you have the ultimate appetizer tray. Throw in some fresh figs and crusty bread, and now it's a light lunch.

I tried this dish! Rate it.

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Vinoculture: Steen

steen

In South Africa, Chenin Blanc is the most widely-planted white wine grape, but there it's sometimes known as "Steen." If you're shopping for wine in the South African aisle, either name will do--it's the same grape.

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Go Vino: Stellenbosch

stellenbosch

Beyerskloof Wine Farm

Stellenbosch, South Africa, is probably the country's best-known wine region where, according to the Stellenbosch Wine Routes website, they've been preparing for your visit for the past 320 years. Download the tasting route map.

Been to Stellenbosch? Leave a comment about your favorite winery there.

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Freebie Friday: Wine Diaper

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So the Wine Diaper sounds like something for soccer moms who imbibe too much, but it's actually for "pampering" your wine when you travel. It's an inexpensive, disposable bag that seals up the wine, so if it does break, your clothes don't get soaked.

Enter to win a set of two Wine Diapers--just leave a comment on the site with your go-to wine brand.

Read the contest rules (short version: one entry per person, must be 21 or older and have a U.S. mailing address, enter by midnight Eastern time the following Thursday).

Congratulations to Chrysa of Cambridge, MN, winner of the Food Tee.

Web find of the week: Red Wine Haiku

PSA: Please drink responsibly, and never drink and drive.

Syndication:

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