Ken Forrester Petit Chenin Blanc 2008

This Chenin Blanc is from the Stellenbosch region of South Africa. I was once told to think of this region as "the Napa Valley of South Africa." According to the back label, this winery practices sustainable farming, abstaining from the use of herbicides and pesticides. Their laborious handiwork not only creates careful and attentive wines, it also provides employment for their community.

I poured a modest glass to sip while nipping away at cave-aged krystal cheddar cheese with my friend, Ian, as we whiled away a Friday night with saved episodes of Nigella Express. We oohed and ahhed at her brilliance. Imagined collaborating a wintery bounty of pastas and soups galore. Nigella purred over a thick, gooey toffee sauce. Ian remembered his need of a Dutch oven. And, I eyed her skillet...Oops, yet another tool over which to pine...

Sniff: There's much to busy a nose in this white. Petrol followed by waxy, honeyed dried apricots. A sprinkle of cumin for good measure and musk.

Taste: I weed my way through lemon zest toward toasty fennel seeds. A salty backbone supports tart peach and green apple. There is a medium body and acidity. The spicy finish keeps the mouth salivating for more of the fuzzy apricot skin and lemon juice appearing on a splendid finish.