Versatile, refreshing and incredibly age worthy. Chenin Blanc is one of the great grapes of the wine world for all these qualities and more and this one is made with grapes grown on Ian Quinns Two Terraces vineyard in Mangatahi, Hawke’s Bay. Quinn, the grape grower, is an unapologetic devotee of Chenin Blanc, which he supplies to several passionate winemakers, including Gordon Russell of Esk Valley.

Russell ferments this Chenin in stainless steel, maturing it in a concrete egg for six months on fine lees. It’s dry in taste and literally justoff dry in style with residual sugar of 5.8 grams per litre.

New Zealands climate is exceptionally well suited to this stunning classic French white grape variety, as winemakers such as Gordon Russell of Esk Valley, has shown for decades through his passionate perseverance with this lively white grape.

Chenin Blanc is one of the world’s most versatile grape varieties because it can be used to make bone dry, full bodied whites, which both France and South Africa specialise in and it can also make super succulent sweeties. The grape’s naturally high acidity adds balancing freshness to wines made from it, which retain a brightness and lively style.