Spier Chenin Blanc (2012)

I picked this bottle up after enjoying the Chenin Blanc at this wine tasting so much and wanting to try some more. After spending an entire day traisping around IKEA with a 13.5 month old, my mom and I cracked this bottle open at 4:55 pm. I said “I hope you don’t mind it’s not even 5:00, but it’s wine time.” We both liked it so much we kept on drinking it right through dinner!

I liked that I didn’t really have any expectations for what this wine would taste like, since Chenin Blanc isn’t a wine I regularly have. I thought it had a nice spice and acidity to it, and an almost grassy taste. It was drier than I was expecting, but not in a Chardonnay-dry kind of way. It became more floral as my glass came to room temperature, but it never delves into sweetness.

We had an “appy hour” for dinner, but I think it’d also pair nicely with any kind of seafood or a light chicken dish. It’s a nice budget-friendly wine and I think would be a welcome change of pace to your white rotation. I have a Spier Sauvignon Blanc in my wine cooler I’m waiting to try too, and I’m interested to see how they compare!

Tasting Notes:

Wine Name: Spier Chenin Blanc 2012

Grape: White, Chenin Blanc

Origin: South Africa

Price: $7.99 Total Wine

General impressions: herbaceous, acidic, dry, spicy, easy to drink

Recommendations: try if you like Sauvignon Blanc, under $10 bottle, pair with seafood, apertif wine, hostess gift wine

Would you buy again? Yes – especially at that price. Although, if I was forced to choose, I’d probably still prefer the Petit Chenin Blanc over this one… but, the Spier is certainly a nice comp for under $10!