Dry Creek Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2009

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Chenin Blanc was one of the first wines in the 1970s that was marketed in the U.S. by its name rather than under a generic title. It quickly became the best-selling white wine of its era.

Chenin blanc became a victim of its own success, and a shortage of quality grapes gave it a reputation of cheap jug wine. American tastes for white wine steered toward chardonnay.

But some of the world's finest white wines in the Loire Valley in France come from chenin blanc, which is a very versatile grape. Dry Creek in California honors those efforts. It's a nice balance of citrus influences and orchard fruits with a very long, pleasing finish.

Sherry: "Dry and mineral-like with lime and pear flavors and almond on the finish." 3 stars

Chris: "Flavors of apricot, pineapple and grapefruit." 3 stars

Available locally for about $11.

Coming next week: Columbia Crest Amitage