While many a wine lover has discovered the enticing characteristics of chenin blanc, this sometimes sweet, sometimes tangy wine has yet to win broader appeal.
So to celebrate this grape, a group of restaurateurs, wine store owners and vintners across the nation will host Drink Chenin Day this Friday, June 12.
Locally, Paumanok Vineyards in Aquebogue, whose chenin blanc has developed a bit of a cult following, will offer free tastes of the wine on Friday and will offer 10 percent off chenin orders placed that day.
“Wine enthusiasts around the world have long recognized Chenin Blanc as one of the world’s great white grape varieties. However, the broader market is largely unaware of this wonderful grape,” The Massoud family, which owns Paumanok, said in an email announcing the event. “More and more this variety is finding its way into the mainstream as more wine consumers discover how versatile and delicious a wine it can be.”
For a complete list of participating venues, visit DrinkChenin.com.
Paumanok’s 2014 Chenin Blanc is a semi-dry wine made from a blend of the Aquebogue vineyard’s four lots of chenin, winemaker Kareem Massoud told us in December.
“Ours has a sweet and sour character,” he said. “It starts sweets, but has a dry finish the same way lemonade can be really thirst quenching and refreshing because it has that tartness. When you chill it, you get this citrus, sensational beverage.”
When tasting the chenin blanc you’ll notice flavors of grapefruit and pineapple, with more subtle notes of apple, pear and honey, he said.
“The chenin blanc stands really well on its own,” he said. “It is hugely popular in the tasting room.”
The is also a “go-to” when dining on local oysters, which the Aquebogue vineyard serves in its tasting room, Massoud said.
“Chenin blanc pairs excellently with shellfish and seafood in general,” he said. “Of course it can go well with other things like sushi and Asian cuisine.”
Paumanok Vineyards is located at 1074 Main Road in Aquebogue.
