Image courtesy of Michael Rowan
The one good thing to come out of the searing summer temperatures is the opportunity it has created to sit in the garden, on a beach or at a picnic and drink chilled white wines. Given the number of hot days, there is room to try out some different wines, which is how I came to discover Zalse, Bush Valley Chenin Blanc.
It seems that the UK is not alone in experiencing unseasonably hot weather this year, and the South African wine producers reported a dry winter, combined with an early spring; leading to an early bud break with warmer than normal temperatures throughout January. This meant one of the earliest harvests in memory.
Whilst admiring all the hard work and planning that goes into producing Zalse, Bush Valley Chenin Blanc, it is the nose and taste that should concern us most.
That first deep inhalation reveals aromas of lime and citrus zest, mixed with some tropical fruits which are also discernible on the palette. The elegant minerality ensures that there is a very long finish.
Zalse would be a great companion to a variety of food but to be honest, it is just as good drunk on its own and at only £10.00 a bottle from Waitrose, Morrisons and Asda, you could try it both ways, strictly in the name of science you understand.
The producers advise that the wine will mature gracefully over the next 3 to 5 years, but with wine
as tasty as this I am not sure that I will ever have the self-discipline to find out.
Zalse Bush Valley Chenin Blanc: £10.00 Waitrose, Morrisons and Asda