From crisp and unwooded to rich and complex, Chenin Blanc offers a world of flavours and, according to Premier Cru Wine founder Hervé Delabesse, every bottle has a story waiting to be told.
By Mapaballo Borotho
Ahead of Chefs & Chenin, Premier Cru Wine founder Hervé Delabesse joined Phemelo Motene on Kaya 959’s Point of View to talk about Chenin Blanc, wine, storytelling and the art of matching the right bottle to the right occasion.
He also shared what wine lovers can expect from Premier Cru Wines at the two-day culinary celebration, which is taking place this weekend.
For those who appreciate a good glass of wine, Chenin Blanc offers plenty to explore.
The exceptionally versatile white wine grape originates from the Loire Valley of France and has become deeply tied to South Africa, where it is the country’s most widely planted variety.
Chenin Blanc can offer notes of green apple, quince, pear, stone fruit and honey, while warmer climates can bring out more tropical fruit flavours.
Its naturally high acidity gives the wine a crisp structure and makes it particularly versatile when it comes to food pairing, while also giving some Chenin Blancs excellent ageing potential.
And then there is the style. Chenin Blanc can be bone-dry, off-dry, sparkling or lusciously sweet, and can be produced as both unwooded wines, which tend to be crisp and fresh, or wooded wines, which can offer richer and spicier notes.
For Delabesse, however, the story of Chenin Blanc begins much closer to home.
“The origin of Chenin Blanc is very close to my heart, as you can obviously hear; I am French. I come from an area in France called Vallua Velish which is pretty much in the centre of France. The Loire is the longest river that we have in France, and this is the home of Chenin Blanc.
Delabesse says the cooler climate in the Vellua Valley is one of the reasons white wine is predominantly produced in the region.
“The beauty of wine in what we call the Old World of wine that has been making it for thousands of years has been trial and error, perfecting over centuries and centuries. It is magical”.
And while Chenin Blanc can be enjoyed on its own, its natural acidity also makes it a beautiful companion to food.
Delabesse says it pairs particularly well with foods such as shellfish and cheese, with the combination allowing the flavours of both the wine and the food to come alive.
For him, though, wine is about much more than simply choosing the right bottle.
He describes it as a lifestyle, something that is meant to be shared, savoured and remembered.
“Wine is a canvas for moments because when we look at it, it captures occasions and memories. Some wine collectors have collections of empty wine bottles of wines on the shelves, but if you ask them, “What was the occasion? What was the emotion? What was the story, some people even keep the corks of wine”.
And for those looking to develop their appreciation for wine, Delabesse’s advice is simple: slow down and pay attention to what is in your glass.
“Even if it’s just for 30 seconds, try to have your own personal ranking and appreciate the fragrance of wine”.
Because sometimes, enjoying wine isn’t about knowing every tasting note or being able to name every grape variety.
It can simply be about taking a moment, appreciating the aroma, savouring the first sip and allowing the bottle to become part of the occasion.
For more on Chenin Blanc, wine pairing and what to expect from Premier Cru Wines at the Chefs & Chenin event this weekend, listen to the full podcast with Phemelo.
Kaya 959 podcasts are available to download.
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