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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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  • Anonymous

    omg

  • CharlieTN

    Or maybe corrupt politician from the 1920s.

  • Phredd3

    “Tape glitch?” What decade are you shooting this? Haven't you made it to the digital era? 😉

    QOTD1: Teddy Hall sounds like the name of a shortstop. “Well, Slidin' Billy Hamiltion is great, but there's nobody like Teddy Hall for good ol' fashioned hustle. He really gets his uniform dirty.”

    QOTD2: I'm more of a fruit-head, but I like my share of vegetal wines, too. I guess that makes be bi-vinal.

    Nice show, even if the wines were mediocre to awful. It wasn't the worst scoring wine in WLTV history, though. If memory serves, you gave a wine a score of 48 once, saying that it didn't even deserve the fifty points you get for just being a wine.

  • Phredd3

    The word should be pronounced more like the English word “stain”, though. Double-e in Dutch is pronounced more like the English long “a” sound, not like e's in “feet”.

  • TommyB

    Teddy Hall – London gangster mate.
    QOTD: I don't like massive amounts of fruit and I do like a little greeness in my whites and reds (just a hint in the background). SA Sauv Blancs are great because when they are good they combine the 2 elements. As for SA Chenin Blanc, I have only come across wines by Ken Forrester so far that bring the thunder (but my experience is limited). As for the grape itself, its fantastic; diverse, interesting and classy and yes – under-rated! Lets hope it stays that way…

  • Oakmon's BF

    Some folks thought ?Teddy Hall? had a collegiate ring to it. They?re right. St. Edmund Hall, Oxford is known as Teddy Hall.

    Also Edward Thomas Hall, who exposed the Piltdown man fraud, was known as Teddy Hall. He married a South African model. It?s got me wondering if he had something to do with the winery. My father?s mother?s father was a different Edward Hall. I don?t know if anybody called him Teddy.

  • I've been thinking about picking up some chenin blanc lately…it's about to get hot as everything here. I actually dig the veggies in white wine…I also like the citrus/floral play….the over the top fruit almost always seems to cloying for my palette.

    QOTD: Teddy Hall sounds like some dude in a cowboy hat running for sheriff of some backwoods County here in flyover country.

  • cellarrat5

    How does a british scientist winde up marrying a South African model!? I chose the wrong career apperantly.

  • trebalert

    weird. I just had a bottle of 2009 Teddy Hall Chenin Blanc two nights ago. I loved it, for wine that was $9. I went into the archives to see if maybe you reviewed it and came up short. Strange timing GV. I did pick up a little green on the back end, but I got white floral nose and subtle perfume on the nose. The wine left it's impression for many hours, which is great for a value wine. I'm going to buy it again tonight, with my left over sushi.
    There is a bar in Tribeca called Taddy Hall. with an 'a'.

  • Herm

    Haven't had a Chenin blanc in many years…..Teddy Hall sounds like a goalie from jr. hockey in Canada….

  • slimdogny

    I like crisp vegetal whites. I have been enjoying some jammy reds lately though. A little yin and yan.

    QOTD: Teddy Hall = some 3rd party candidate for office. Or maybe just running for class president. ” VOTE FOR TEDDY HALL AND ALL OF YOUR WILDEST DREAMS WILL COME TRUE!”

  • butternut72

    I've been drinking Chenin blanc for years. My favorite is one by Pine Ridge that has a bit of Viognier blended in. Love grassy and fruity wines….and love the show!

  • Paul C

    Teddy Hall does not sound like a wine from bordeaux.

    Haut Brion 2009.

    You can run, but you can't hide.

  • amsgpwarrior

    MY FAVORITE! I drink the 2007 Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier almost every two weeks. Just can't get enough of it. Bought alot of it and the 2008. 2007 much better. Nice to see someone digging on this wine.

  • amsgpwarrior

    Qotd: Teddy Hall, the name, forgettable. Should of named it the Tedster, or “The Ted”. Just kidding.
    I loves me Vouvray! Vouvray with good fruit, either dry or off-dry, with a beam of minerality makes my mouth water. Especially served cold on a hot blistering Texas summer day!

  • SourGrapesFC

    QOTD: makes me think of Monty Python's “Upper-Class Twit of the Year” bit. Teddy Hall sounds like a guy that could finish in the top three.

  • Trivia time for Gary (or anyone else) the only other player drafted in all 3 major sports (without Googling). There's also an obvious asterisk for the 3rd player who could've been drafted in all 3 but actually chose not to be.

  • Bill_Murray

    1) What happened to Mott is he OK? 2) Whats up with the shirt did you lose a bet and have to wear it everyday for 2 months? 3) QOTD “teddy” reminds me of Bruschi, who i hate, especially because according to google he spells his name 'Tedy' ugh (cringe) 4) I like fruit over green. In reds liking Barolo most recently though because of the non-fruit elements, complete 180 from Napa which is what got me started 5) back to the shirt, try this:

    http://classiccraze.com/Junk-Food-NFL-Football-…

  • Regardless of the benefits of mushrooms, they don't get along with my palate, either in wine or with steak, or in cheese for that matter.

  • cellarrat5

    Is it a texture thing? Or just the unique flavor they have? I ask because I know a few people that can't stand them, for the life of me I just don?t understand. But hey, if it doesn?t taste good, I guess one shouldn?t eat it!

  • Well the texture isn't appealing (or particularly disgusting), its really just the flavor. I can see other people not liking them becuase they can't stand the thought of eating fungus.

  • wesleymcallister

    qotd: Teddy Hall is a guy who probably works on computers.

    I am probably more of a veghead at this point. I am just enjoying the fact that it is different from so many fruit bombs I have been drinking.

  • MikeFielden

    Let me say first… Your reaction to the first wine… epic..

    qotd: Teddy Hall is a porn star. No doubt about it. Like a 70's porn star.

  • DCaragher

    GV – Tough start to the show, but hey, just gotta roll with the rock if ya' heard what I'm saying! Chenin is a great grape! I recently had one of Nicolas Joly wines that was previously on the show…so interesting!

    QOTD: When you say Teddy Hall…I say “SHA BOY!”

  • Lurkers are your fanbase, baby!
    I love the lurkers.

  • janvdr

    GV you made and refreshed my day. Keep it that way.

  • TheGreatWazu

    Teddy hall was where the very worn out strip of carpet was laid between Ted Kennedy's bar and his bathroom. This episode was enourmously entertaining. Wine enthusiast or not. When you tasted the first wine it definately reminded me of when infants taste vegetables for the first time….that look on your face told a story that your words distantly followed. The contrast between your forward regarding these wines and your first swig was stark. I laughed out loud. I LOVE bad reviews.

  • plcb

    QOTD: I don't like an Australian fruit bomb and I don't really like a super vegetal Chinon. I'm everywhere in between perhaps leaning toward the fruit.

    I haven't seen any of these three SA chenin blancs in PA but we have plenty of SA chenin blancs in the premium stores from value brands to higher end. Raat's Family Chenin Blanc Original 2008 had good customer feedback.

  • AaronO

    Teddy Hall… Sounds like my favorite bartender.

    Anxious for the release of a Chenin Blanc from a favorite winery here in the Okanagan Valley, B.C. Road 13 Vineyards Old Vines Chenin Blanc. Forty year old vines produce a beautifully fragrant, crisp, juicy Chenin that may be slightly off dry. It's pure ladykiller!!

  • QOTD: Sounds like something you find in your college dorm, then you run to tell your friends you just found a little Teddy in the Hall! Im more of a fruit guy, like the sweet stuff. I dont think it is possible for a human to hide it when they find a bad wine, the mouth curls on its own and all you can do is tell the truth. Great show.

  • It's been a while since I've had a Chenin Blanc wine, I do like the subtle bitterness some of them have.
    QUESTION FOR GARY VEE: Where is Chris Mott? is he alright?

    QOTD: I like both fruity, sweet whites and green herbal toned wines, depends if we're having a meal or as a conversation starter.

  • seanwebb

    I'm not a lurker anymore … shared #842 on Facebook. The first wine's reaction alone is going to hook my friends. Glad you're taking a breath, Gary.

  • Don Simpson

    Roller coaster wines!

    QOTD: Teddy Hall reminded me of Teddy Ruxpin for some reason… no ideal why. Classic.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_Ruxpin

    Other Question: Depends. I'd say I prefer fruit in red wines and tolerate veggies, but I'm more of a veggie monster when it comes to white wine.

  • Mott

    I'm here. I just had a really bad cold. They filmed these while I was out.

  • Michelle did great while you were out, but we did feel the disturbance in the force.
    glad you are better and back.

  • Cheers Mott! thanks for the comment, see you back soon then.

  • Michael C in MKE

    Dave Winfield was my favorite player as a kid.

  • Lisa S

    GV – Good job summing up the Chenin Blancs today, espec the first one! Ha! Loved it.

    I've only tried a few SA chenins and couldn't get past the stinkyness.. not enough fruit. Although I have had a couple of good reds from SA.

    I agree with a few others here that the French chenin blancs from Loire Valley are hard to beat. Vouvray is one of my favorites: Francois Pinon Vouvray ($19) – good with Asian food.

  • QOTD: Monte Hall!

  • I agree, that this comments area is a great place to share relevant information, and you meet some interesting winos. If you get a chance, hop over to our blog and drop a comment so that I can get your email…I have kind of a strange Lodi grape question for you. Thanks man.

  • Benj

    Great show! As for the QOTD, I find myself fluctuating between the two a lot. I like it if a wine can bring both to be honest, but both have a place in my heart. I think the veggies are amazing on a really really hot day, just because they're so refreshing.

  • Hi Gary,

    Pity you didn't have our best up there. As you said South African Chenin's are as versatile as you can get. From using old bush vines dated as far back as 1952 to young, 100% wooded, to un-wooded and grassy all the way to honey suckle dessert… we've got them all!! We've also got a full blown South African Chenin Blanc Association http://www.chenin.co.za and these group of guys are doing their utmost to produce some of the best Chenin's in the world! Your Probably aware of these wines…but here are a few of my South African favourites showing versatility in style and price 🙂 http://bit.ly/9vNXnL

    Keep well
    Enjoying your shows

    Jenny
    http://www.cybercellar.com

  • Anonymous

    Where is your blog? I clicked the link on your name and for the life of me could not find it. I am what you might call technologically inept at times.

  • Anonymous

    Nevermind, I figured it out, it wasent hard…

  • Alana

    Hey Gary,
    I'm with you on the Chenin Blanc bandwagon. Entirely under-appreciated. Will check out the Savanha and the Teddy Hall. I love “green” in SB, but, not so sure how I feel about it in Chenin. Will have to see. Alos, loved the “directness” of the Sizanani review.
    Cheers
    BTW Baron Herzog used to have a great Chenin Blanc, but, limited distribution. Haven't seen it in ages.

  • Anonymous

    What matches are you going to and where will you be. Would love to connect with some people down there to drink some good juice.

  • jimsharp

    .Intrigued by this show I went hunting. One of the wine experts at Yankee Spirits (in Sturbridge MA.), led me to the Chenin Blancs and recommended a 2009 by Man Vintners. I'm glad I bought two bottles. One wasn't enough. Very delicious! I see what you mean about the green vegetables thing. The wine has a long lemony, acidity that hangs on to the palate for a long time. I too am on the Steen bandwagon. Thanks for the enlightenment.

  • Too bad the wines didn't show great. Chenin is my favorite white varietal. But in SA you probably get what you pay for and there is a lot of overcropped Steen. I'm convinced the Loire is still the best source for Chenin. There are a lot of organic/bio/natural passionate producers with amortized vineyards for generations, with incredibly diverse terroirs that can still produce incredible affordable wines. Why search elsewhere?

    QTOD. Teddy What???

    QOTD. I prefer veggies over fruit.

  • QOTD: I am a veggie head and I have no idea what to say to Teddy Hall.

  • Ozzy

    Another great show GV I really loved to dumping of the Sizanani that was pretty funny.
    QOTD: Teddy What!
    QOTD: I do like both but I tend to lean alittle more on the side of fruit.

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