For sentimental reason, a white wine from South Africa will be always special for me. And what better way than a Chenin Blanc to reveal your passion…

This love story starts in the famous township of Soweto at random. Lodged to the incredible Lebo’s Backpackers, in the middle of this legendary place with an exalted human warm, a wine festival, much to my surprise, is organised each year: the Soweto Wine Festival ! Obviously, without hesitation, the ticket is bought and let’s go to discover the best of the South African’s vine-growing 😉 The eyes enchanted, the taste bud awaiting and magnificently escorted, the walk in this festival is a pleasure and I succumb to the charm. From owners to owners, the discover is abiding. But one thing regurlaly comes back: they speak french and the vineyards are in french. Why ? Short and quick history lesson to insert in the next meal: when Louis XIV revokes the Nantes’ edict in 1685, the Protestants flee the country and some set up in the Netherlands. But at that time, Dutchman are colonising South Africa and need some wine-growers experts to highlight the ground. And then almost 200 huguenots embark and develop the vine-growing. By the way the village, where they move, is always named Franschoek, meaning the “part of the French” in afrikaner 😉 with a monument in their memory (below). That’s enough to cause a sensation…now, come back to our walk.Head in the stars and my heart quivering of pleasure, this time I fall in love… You are really pampered as french. The owner comes everytime to speak with you (I met one wine-grower who imported his vine stocks from Jaboulet) and the visitors stop you to ask you what you think about their wines !?! Great honour ! So honestly, I am not really fan of their red Pinotage (hybridisation Pinot Noir/Cinsault) very animal and tarmac, their Viognier promising and the Chenin Blanc making progress. By the way, South Africa is the world most important producer of that variety ! Then, yesterday night, still amorously, a Chenin Blanc has been uncorked (or almost 😉 ) in the name of nostalgia and Cupid… This Villiera is located at , the real South Africa’s wine capital. It is a typical Chenin Blanc (or “Steen”) that you we can expect from that area. The nose is open and plenty of fruits in a beautiful pale gold dress and to the palate, it’s a sensation from hot country (14,5%) with tropical fruits beeing verging on melon which seduce you…and drag you towards some honeyed touch ! Not really dry, there is a little drawback with a high acidity. But to go well with a plate of shrimps lightly spicy to reduce the sensation of acidity and to raise that of fruits, not forgetting the hard rind cheese…A part of mine is definitly is Soweto and my heart is still beating for you in each swallow…