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The Mbali Chenin Blanc Viognier 2024 is a $5.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive sourced from grapes sustainably grown in the Western Cape region of South Africa. This is a wine made for Trader Joe’s by Zidela Worldwide wines.
The Story
Zindela Worldwide Wine is a custom wine producer that produces a bottle of wine according to customers’ specifications.
Chenin Blanc is a grape from the Loire Valley in France and has found a home in the vineyards of South Africa. It is THE White wine of South Africa.
Chenin Blanc is a versatile wine that can be molded into various styles: baked, unoaked, dry, or sweet, and make an excellent Bubbly. It can be valued priced or rather pricey. Its versatility may cause a problem since Chenin Blanc can be produced in so many ways that it is hard to pin down.
The one bottle of Chenin Blanc that you love may be very different from your next brand-purchased.
Viognier is another French grape that can be found as a single varietal or, more commonly, in a blend. It was one of the few White wine grapes that can be added to Red wine. The grapes have an expressive aroma and half enough acidity to add oomph to a wine. Sometimes, just a little Viognier is what is needed to put a blend over the top.
Mbali is the Zulu word for flower.
The alcohol content is 13.5%, and the Mbali Chenin Blanc Viognier 2024 was bottled on August 19, 2024
The Mbali Chenin Blanc (79%) Viognier (21%) 2024 Tasting Notes
The color is just the slightest hint of gold. The nose is pretty: melon, lemon, peach pear, honey, and tropical fruit. The Mbali Chenin Blanc Viognier 2024 is bright and full-flavored, there is a touch of nectar sweetness to help the flavors along.
This Chenin Blanc Viognier tastes like pineapple mixed with pear and guava, followed by tangerine, honey, and Green apple. The mid-palate offers bright tropical fruit.
The acidity is well-balanced and allows the flavors to shine.
The Summary
- The Mbali Chenin Blanc Viognier 2024 is the early leader for the $5.99 Wine of the Year.
- This cheap South African wine tastes great and has no issues.
- Not enough body to be too useful as a food wine, but an excellent back porch sipper.
