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EP 842 South African Chenin Blanc Tasting

Gary explores this white wine, specifically from South Africa. Chenin Blanc, also known as Steen, can bring some great value to the table.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2008 Sizanani Chenin BlancSouth African Chenin Blanc
2008 Savanha SteenSouth African Chenin Blanc
2009 Teddy Hall Chenin BlancSouth African Chenin Blanc


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luca bercelli

92/100

line of the day – ‘This wine stinks, tastes like water with rocks and a little topsoil’

This is what GV is all about. Entertaining, opinionated and fast-paced. Love it

Tags: chenin blanc, review, South Africa, Video, white, wine, wines

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  • theDude

    I think Teddy Hall was Homer Stokes running mate for Governor of Mississippi, “Is you is, or is you ain't, my constituency?” Haaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!

    I like wine that's good. Doesn't matter if its “green” or “fruit forward” as long its drinkable by humans!

    You the man…”Gary the Gray”

  • Randall

    HI-larious, Dude!! They should consider Huey Long on that ticket. (also… was that “is u is” thing an O Brother reference?)

  • adrums

    QOTD: No idea on Teddy Hall. Is that where the Stuffed Animal Symphony Orchestra (SASO) plays concerts?
    Enjoyed the show, never really gotten into S.A. wines much generally as of yet.
    On this whole green flavor thing: I definitely enjoy vegetables more than I do fruits, but with wine, we're talking about fermented grape (FRUIT) juice… so veggie flavors can surely be invited to the party, but if they dominate to the exclusion of fruit (doesn't have to be oozin' Aussie or Cali sunshine, just fruit of some kind) then something is off; out of balance if you will… for my tastes anyhow.

  • cellarrat5

    I 2nd the thanks, however, I am a little unclear as to what this means for WLTV. Ultimately it sounds like something he needs to do for himself and his core business projects. I know very little about spreading myself thin in that kind of manner, just keep true to yourself, family and friend (and us Vayniacs) and you will always crush it.

  • yacochuya

    Gary,…..Met you in Miami, are you going to the World Cup?..I believe you said it was about 80%. I will be going with my 4 yo daughter. Any other wine freaks going? If so lets, meet in Stellenbosch!

  • theDude

    I loves me them Soggy Bottom Boys!

  • QOTD; You are such a TED.

  • Mark Simkins

    Interesting show! I am going there for the world cup … will definitely look for the Teddy Hall!

  • plcb

    Looking forward to watching the chenin blanc show. PA does not have these three.

  • pawncop

    Good episode, have tried Raats Family Chenin Blanc and enjoyed it.

    QOTD – Teddy Hall? Doesn't he have a game show? Sorry, it was all I could think of.

    I tend to be more a fruit wine person but have tried several “green” versions, mostly Cab Franc that I enjoyed.

    The joy is in the quest.

  • DaveyJohnson

    Teddy Hall – just sounds like an old school baseball player to me.

  • Randall

    Me too!!

  • jayking

    Random thought: I'd love to Anthony Bourdain as a guest on the WLTV.

  • I've not been super impressed by the South Africa selections, maybe one meritage…. but have only tried consumer grade, have not rolled up on the professional level stuff.
    This should be interesting, downloading now…satellite don't fail me.

  • I was totally screaming “DUMP IT!” when you went with the PAAAAAAAAZZZZZ reaction. I then subsequently lost it later when it happened. I had a couple of decent Chenin Blancs from South Africa, but did not know their actual retail price (I had them by the glass).

    QOTD1: TONIGHT AT TEDDY HALL, FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY…(insert lewd band name here)
    QOTD2: I lean more to the fruit, though I appreciate some green here and there…especially on Sauvignon Blancs and similar white varietals.

  • njbigchris

    Teddy Hall is my best friends Cousin… and he is lame beyond words. Trip to liquor store $5 in gas. Buying South African wine $8. Watching the bad wine get dumped, PRICELESS. You keep me in stitches GV, keep up the great work. I will be a lurker no more after this episode.

  • Green_Pea

    GV, do you remember when that Michigan State wine took a dirt nap on your show? I thought for a moment this Sizanani Chenin Blanc was going to steal their spot as the all time biggest piece of crap. Funny to see the title still lives north of Ohio.

  • RedRum

    Long time no write.. but CB is one of my fav varietals. SA is having a problem with CB, as many producers are ditching it for Sauv Blanc, as it brings bigger yields. Hope the world cup lifts up demand and they stick with it…

    QOTD1: Teddy Hall… hmmm… reminds me of a 65 year old crouner wedding singer… don't know why…

    QOTD2: I LOVE green. both in white and reds. That is why Chinon is probably one of my fav wines

  • Lyman

    I hate to admit it but I thought, for some reason, Annie Hall's brother. Off subject somewhat, do you go back to when wrestling was regional before McMahon bought up everything except Turner?

    I have problems going beyond Chenin from the Loire. I've become a Chenin snob; more specifically Vouvray.

    I wonder if you've ever touched on Ripasso?

  • ONUMello

    QOTD1: I say, who?
    QOTD2: Fruit

  • DAveAll

    love chenin blanc. one of my fav's. (omg, I'm talking like you!) At times I like the rubbery, chemical, petroleum smell. But loved your review of the first wine. hahaha. Glad I didn't make THAT wine.
    Michelle? I heard Mott has his own show now – what is the link? (url for some). We want to see Michelle. She is quiet, not like Mott.

    This smells like something I haven't smelled for a long time. omg, that was fun. mystery hunt! my mine was all over the place…
    luckers suck. man, remember only 4 % of folks want to chip in, it's just statistics. So many shy folks or “above posting”. we find this on all social media networks, not just here. (oh, exposing too much here).
    Teddy is a name that is always fun. cause it rhymes with something funny.

    man, I am like NOT A LURKER. ghez. too much typing. nice show. I need to be more of a lurker.
    QOTD: Teddy Hall – I think Beddy Mall. A great place in north carolina

  • keep typing!

  • RedRum thnx for ur two cents!

  • mattgmann

    QOTD: I think Teddy Hall is probably the SA version of Bill Brasky

    http://www.hulu.com/watch/69478/saturday-night-…

  • waynegusmanjr

    Brah, what's with all of your recent videos having you in the same shirt? Even if you are doing a months worth of it in one day, give us some variety. It feels stale as irrelevant as my comment is. I'm curious to know how many people are following you in New Orleans, LA. I'm telling everyone I know about you and will soon be getting a group together to do the Wine club thing. Is there a way to track you following per say NOLA after this comment? Yea My summer classes are in France studying Wine. I'm glad I ran across you prior to the trip to France. I'm wondering if you look at the comments or just emails and whatever…

  • Globex

    love the grass!!! The best I ever got was from Teddy Hall after we had just won the 1984 College World Series.

  • mattgmann

    My personal prob with chenin blanc is that I never know what to expect from a bottle. I can see that as being a versatile grape, but I also see it as there not being a defined style. Maybe SA should step up and create a style of Chenin Blanc they can become known for.

    With food, I generally drink white wines. So when I'm shopping for a wine for a meal, uncertainty keeps me away from chenin blanc. Not that other wines are super consistent by any means, but I can generally pick a wine based on some of the qualities I need to pair with food. In my personal chenin blanc experience, I've had trouble with that.

  • rubber smell is usually a bad sign…that's a flaw that I have a hard time with. Petrol in Riesling is ok however…

  • hmmmm…flavored water on #2 is not selling me either..87?

  • BTW Thanks for pinch hitting Michelle!

  • divyamistry

    I enjoy eating most of the veggies, but I'm definitely a Fruit Monster. Not a big fan of veggie aroma/taste in wines. If that's coupled with rainforest-ish aroma, I can get into that dampened green smell/taste with some earthy smell/taste.

    QOTD: Teddy Hall sounds like a name of some chess referee or may be a good old rusty dorm in a college!

  • #3 sounds like it has legs…
    Thanks for the banked show…safe trip home from down under.

    QOTD: The big showroom up in Shelburne where the VT Teddy Bear Co. has all of it's little critters caged.
    QOTD2: all depends on the occasion and pairing…can't be pegged to either.

  • As always, you are great fun to watch. Since you only taste three wines a night, why not drink them? It is nice placement of the Jets helmet, but do you really need to spit it out (except the first wine of course)?

  • WineWoman

    QOTD: When drinking white wine, I usually prefer the fruit but wouldn't mind the vegetal play, especially if it was a top-notch food pairing.

    We had a few dogs named Teddy, of course there's always the bear. I think it definitely sounds like someone you went to high school with–young enough to still be called Teddy instead of Ted and Hall because lots of things happen in the Hall at school, and you need a Hall pass for permission to be in the Hall. The name wreaks of an 80's high school character. Remember Kids in the Hall, Anthony Michael Hall(Weird Science, The Breakfast Club, present day Dead Zone).

  • Alexandre_CF

    Hey, i'm from Brasil and this is my first comment.
    First Gary, i want to congratulate you for the show, you are bringing the thunder to Brasil.

    QOTD: For me Teedy Hall sound like a underground ping pong player.
    QOTD2 : Fruit is good but Green realy kicks some a**.

  • A dumb Rhein king

    QOTD: Teddy Hall sounds like that guy that everyone likes, but you think is a douche. Of course you don't say so though because you'll totally be ostracized for it.

    QOTD2: Both. I would say that I gravitate towards the fruity fun though.

  • mariescig

    Chenin Blanc brings memories of wine on shelves in the 70s that housewives drank before the hubby came home. They drank it for the feeling not the taste so I'm having a hard time thinking I am at all interested. Thanks for the trip down memory lane and the call to think of it differently. Great show – love the variety and the challenge to my wine education and enjoyment.

  • Bredsun

    QOTD: Teddy Hall is the guy that everyone knows, but no one is friends with…sort of like Ferris Bueller.

    Got to love the price points on those wines…hopefully they have a decent selection at the Total Wine here in Tucson…

  • GFish

    Q1: Teddy Hall, no big reaction. College dorm named after Teddy Roosevelt? Want to recognize some old school wrestlers what about Gorgeous George?

    Q2: Vegetal aspects in wine, reds it can be ok if paired with the right food. I used to not like it in reds but it has grown on me (cab franc, some cab sauvingons). On whites easier to like but not for a cocktail wine. Better when paired up with food.

    GFish

  • QOTD: Teddy Hall is the new utility player for the Mets.

    I could go on about Chenin Blanc but I have something more important to say. TODAY, in my mail box was a package from Three Thieves which contained my new poster, autographed by the owners, of THE SHOW MALBEC! (from 829-830). I?m pumped. Thanks GV and thanks to everyone at Three Thieves.

    Oh yah, I love chenin blanc both green and grape. Depends on what I am eating.

  • waynoooo daaaaa winoooo

    qotd1: Teddy Whoooooo ?????

    qotd2: Loooovvzz 'em Both, That's 85% of me diet, Vegetables & Fruit……

    WHERRRREZZZZZ daaa MOTTSTER ??!!!???

  • dsallen

    I just enjoy being able to taste anything interesting, whether it's fruity, vegetable, barnyard-poopy, or anything else. Variety is the best flavor!

  • Pat__B

    GV,

    Eat at Publican in Chicago. Their menu is made for Chenin Blanc (http://thepublicanrestaurant.com/#).

  • waynoooo daaaaa winoooo

    Yo G , Ya gotta crack out some of da Domaine Baumard (Coteaux du Layon & Quarts
    de Chaume) Chenin Blancs one of these days…….

  • Jay

    Wow, this episode is LOADED with content for a future greatest hits clip montage! 🙂

  • bob

    Teddy Hall, has to be a car dealer somewhere….think I go for more of the fruity wines. What I've kinda fallen in love lately is vinho verde. My local store carries 7 different brands, and I believe all are under 10 bucks and there are all pretty good. and the little spritz at the end is like a bonus!

  • Anonymous

    Congratulations on being first AND the twins. Real men have twins, huh?

  • Jeff

    You say Teddy Hall, I think argyle? I like the green. I like any flavor profile that isn't the norm. I savored a French red the other day that smelled and tasted like kalamata olive brine.

  • Nice to see you dissing a wine so heavily.

    QOTD: Teddy Hall sounds to me like a mass producer of boring and cheap Australian wines. Like Kendall Jackson, etc.

  • KVM1985

    QOTD: No big reaction…”Teddy” was my father's nickname (short for Theodore) when he was growing up, so I'll go there.

    QOTD: Both…probably more into fruit in wine generally. Preference depends on the mood and the moment.

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