DGA Wine Club: The Rustler Chenin Blanc

Posted by Jamie

The Rustler (2011) is a Chenin Blanc from Western Cape, South Africa.  Chenin Blanc is a grape variety from Loire valley of France, but it is grown extensively in South Africa.  The grapes can produce a wide variety of wines from sparkling to dessert wines.  The Rustler is a carefully crafted example of a Chenin Blanc from the premium Overburg district in the Western Cape region.

Loire Valley, France

Overburg is on the southern tip of Africa, east of Cape Town, and the favorable growing conditions have lead it to be called the breadbasket of the Cape.  The farming in Overburg is mostly wheat, but fruit cultivation, including Chenin Blanc grapes, is also predominant.

Overburg, Western Cape

The name Overburg is derived from a Dutch phrase meaning 'over the mountain,' and refers to the Hottentots-Holland range which borders the Overburg district.  Being a coastal region bounded by a mountain range, Overburg benefits from favorable weather conditions with warm sun, cool breezes, and ample rainfall.  Michael Oliver, the award-winning winemaker responsible for The Rustler says that the region is "a brilliant place to grow grapes."

The Wine

The Rustler is a fresh, sweet white that is very citrus forward.  It has a light, crisp aroma that tingles the nostrils and a cool, fresh feel on the palate.  The Rustler has strong notes of lemon with hints of apple and honeycomb.  All in all it is a very refreshing white that is lovely to drink all on its own.

Food Pairing

The Rustler is a bit on the dry side and pairs quite well with shellfish.  It is strong enough to stand up to a bit of smoke and spice, but if you are pairing it with mussels you should stick to a white sauce.  The wine pairs equally well with a flaky, bitter cheese and a creamy smoked Gouda, though it pairs particularly well with the Gouda.  The top notes of lemon are overwhelmed by the Gouda, but the sweeter hints of fruit and honey are left intact and compliment the cheese quite well.