Chenin Blanc

Husch Vineyards Mendocino Chenin Blanc 2011

The  Husch Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2011 is sourced from sustainably farmed Husch managed vineyards in the Mendocino AVA of Northern California. Husch Vineyards was founded (they were also the very first winery in the valley) in the Anderson Valley sub AVA of Mendocino in 1971 and was purchased by the Oswald Family in 1979. Husch has practiced sustainable farming…

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The Heavyweight Chardonnay 2009

The  Heavyweight Chardonnay  2009 is 85% Chardonnay, 10% Chenin Blanc and 5% Marsanne sourced from vineyards in more than one California grape growing AVA. The Heavyweight is produced by ADS Wines which is owned by Scotto Family Wines a 5th generation winemaker located in the Lodi AVA. They do not provide a wealth of technical…

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Frey Vineyards Natural White Organic Table Wine

The Frey Vineyards Natural White Organic Table whine is a non-vintage blend of Chenin Blanc (grown in certified organic vineyards in Butte County, which is near the Sierra Foothills and is included in the Central Coast AVA) and Chardonnay (sourced from certified organic vineyards in the Mendocino AVA, Frey Vineyards is located in Mendocino). Frey…

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2009 Zamarro Chenin Blanc/Torrontes

The 2009 Zamarro (90%) Chenin Blanc and (10%) Torrontes is sourced from the Mendoza region of Argentina. Zamarro is a brand name, not a winery, this a brand created to be sold at Safeway (and other) grocery stores, I found it selling for $3.99 on sale at Jewel’s (Chicago’s Safeway Store). This is a wine that…

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2010 Gerard Bertrand Cremant de Limoux Brut

The Gerard Bertrand Cremant de Limoux is a French Sparkling wine consisting of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin Blanc and 10% Mauzac (Mauzac is the local white grape that goes into all Limoux Bubbly) sourced from vineyards located in the Limoux AOC of the Languedoc in southern France. Limoux is where Sparkling wine was first produced…

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The Furst 2009 Riesling

Riesling is one of those grapes that can’t seem to shake its reputation. Most people assume it’s an almost syrupy sweet white wine best paired with good conversation, severely spicy dishes, and nothing else. The Furst’s 2009 Riesling seeks to change all of that. Furst is about $12.99 a bottle and from the Alsace region…

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2007 Saint-Hilaire Grande Cuvee Brut

The 2007 Saint-Hilaire Grand Cuvee is a Sparkling wine estate grown and bottled in the Blanquette de Limoux AOC located in the Languedoc in southwest France. In 1531, Sparkling wine/Champagne was first produced by the monks at the Abbey Saint-Hilaire, Dom Perignon wasn’t born until 1638, so Champagne was not invented in Champagne. The Sparkling…

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2010 Dry Creek Chenin Blanc

The 2010 Dry Creek Chenin Blanc is 100% Chenin Blanc sourced from the Clarksburg AVA located near the San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento River Delta, in California. The majority of the grapes grown in Clarksburg are sold to wineries outside of Clarksburg, there are a handful of wineries working in the Clarksburg AVA, with…

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2010 Goats in Villages Chenin Blanc/Viognier

The 2010 Goats in Villages Chenin Blanc/Viognier is sourced from vineyards in the Paarl wine district northwest of Cape Town in South Africa.  This seems to be a special bottling made for Trader Joe’s ($7.99) by the Goats do Roam Wine Company. There is no mention of this wine on their website or the importers…

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2010 Big House White

The 2010 Big House White is a “kitchen sink” blend, 22.7% Malvasia Blanc, 15.9% Gruner Veltliner, 15.7% Sauvignon Blanc, 9.2% Gewurztraminer, 7.9% Riesling, 7.3% Chenin Blanc, 6.1% Muscat Canelli, 5.2% Viognier, 4.5% Verdelho, 4.4% Albarino and 1.1% Pinot Gris.(I hope all that adds up to 100%) The winemaker, Georgetta Dane, says she blends wine as…

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2010 Lacheteau Vouvray

Vouvray is the name for Chenin Blanc grown in the Vouvray growing region near the town of Tours in the Loire Valley, France. The Lacheteau Vouvray is exclusively imported for Trader Joe’s and sells for $6.99. Lacheteau is one of the largest negociant’s in the Loire Valley, which means they do not grow the grapes,…

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