2004 Chenin Blanc

A serious grape miscast as a quaffing wine. Typically has flavors of honey, damp hay, grapefruit, and citrus. Sometimes floral and earthy. At its best, chenin blanc is loaded with tart, acidic astringency, a high degree of fruit extract, with a sweetish finish. More typically, an off dry quaffing white. Found in French Vouvray, Coteaux du Layon, Anjou, Touraine; California chenin blanc is usually off dry; some dry ones exist; Argentine ones show promise. Except in France, always labeled chenin blanc.