2003 Mukuyu Chenin Blanc

Media on the subject of wine would most likely begin by reviewing some of the classic French wines. An American writer might eventually recount that faithful day on June 7, 1976 when Chateau Montelena and Stag's Leap beat their French counterparts to show the reader American wines have grown up, and are worthy to drink and review. Then eventually the author could move on to other wines. Well, as you read in the first post, speaking to the dead in a dead language does not equate logic; So as an extension of that non-logic, I plan to treat all wine as worthy of consumption and review whether it is expensive or inexpensive, Vitis vinifera or Vitis labrusca, red or white, French or Greek. With that idea, we start with a wine from the Republic of Zimbabwe.

2003 Mukuyu Chenin Blanc. When we think about African wines, South African Pinotage comes to mind. That is why when I found this wine from the Republic of Zimbabwe, I had to try it.

Vintage: 2003
Winery: Mukuyu
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Country: Zimbabwe

Region: Mashonaland East, Marondera

The wine's color is a very pale straw. I noticed a very light aroma of honeysuckle when I first poured the wine. Between the pale color and very light bouquet, I was surprised that this wine was so tasty. The wine begins with the taste of sweet green apple which suddenly drops away to an acidic rush (tartness), and then moves to crisp dryness. This wine is the perfect accompaniment to a hot summer's day, outside while sitting under the shade of a tree, or under a bistro umbrella. Of course, this wine should be chilled for a couple of hours before opening. Pique-nique anyone?

Mukuyu Estate PO Box 1813, Harare Phone: (9-263-4) 620410/9 Fax: 620429/620431