rendez-vous chenin blanc, clarksburg, california

7/31/2019 Rendez-Vous Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg, California

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Rendez-vous Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg, California.

Grapes

100% Chenin Blanc

Facts

Chenin Blanc! Not exactly the first grape that springs to mind when you think of

California! Some people may even say that, as a winemaker, you would have to be

CRAZY to bother with a grape which has a relatively low level of consumer recognition.

This, when you could much more easily make/market Cab or Chard etc. This leads

nicely to my next point

The founder of the Rendez-vous Winery is Larry Dizmang.actually..Dr. Larry

Dizmang M.D. (psychiatrist), as he is more formally known! The doctor along with his

wife Evie (a clinical social worker) founded the Folie a Deux Winery (youve no-

doubt seen the Menage a Trois label). He sold the winery (which had initially been

converted from a former sheep ranch) in 1995, and at its peak was producing around

20,000 cases. Its interesting to note that the name Folie a Deux is the medical term

used to describe two people who share the same delusion. In this case, it's making

wine!
http://www.blogyourwine.com/


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The base for Larrys new vinous-venture is in the Old Sugar Mill, located in Clarksburg.

The venue serves as an all-in-one winemaking operation (custom crush, wine tasting

room and event space) for eight California wineries. Check-out the Old Sugar Mill on

Facebook

The focus of Rendez-vous is to only use Clarksburg appellation grapes in their

winemaking. Dr. Dizmang is also making a Late Harvest Chardonnay, Rose Grenache,

Petite Sirah, as well as Rendez-Rouge and Rendez-Blanc (a pair of white and red

blends).

The Rendez-vous Chenin Blanc is already on its way to becoming one of the more

noteworthy examples of Chenin in the country, after taking home the Silver Medal the

recent California State Fair.

Click here for the Rendez-vous winery Facebook page.

Place

Rendez-vous is one of the very few

wineries that actually list theirClarksburg

appellation operation on the front label.

Clarksburg benefits from the exact same

morning fog and cool breezes as

experienced by the San Francisco Bay,

and Napa/Sonoma vineyards.

The Clarksburg AVA is located in the

Central Valley region of California.


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Even though Chenin Blanc is still thought of as one of the more obscure varietals in

California, in the 1980s, California actually had more Chenin Blanc planted than

France! Unfortunately, during the 70s and 80s, most of the wine made using Chenin

was simple and commercial plonk, often harboring a fairly high level of sweetness.

South Africa is the country that has really started to take Chenin Blanc seriously, with

now just over twice the acreage of France.

Currently there are over 24+ different grape varieties growing in Clarksburg, with the

best Chenin Blanc and Petite Sirah wines in California hailing from the little-known

region.

Taste

If, like me, you relish the opportunity get outside your California wine comfort zone, this is going

to be right up your alley! If youve ever tasted Chenin Blanc before, prepare for an eye-opening

experience with the Rendez-vous. I was prepared for much more sweetness than I was greeted

with.

Seriously thirst-quenching and mineral-drive from start to finish, showing pink grapefruit, peach,

green apple, white flowers, a hint of pineapple and mango. Not in any way cloying. Crisp, with a

good heft of acidity, reminding me very-much of the better Chenin Blancs coming out of the Loire.

This is quintessential summer wine if ever Ive tasted one!

Pairing

I think the same thing that happened Riesling has occurred with Chenin Blanc, in that its

developed a reputation as being inherently sweet. The beauty of this wine is that I think it will

share much of the same versatility with food as the drier styles of Riesling.


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11.5% alcohol, so spicy Asian, Thai, or Indian food shouldnt be a problem! I also think it would

pair superbly with raw oysters, shellfish/white fish with freshly squeezed lemon/lime juice, pork,

seafood pasta with a white sauce, and soft/delicate cheeses..

Price

$17 (or 12 for $15.33) Available from Rendez-vous winery.com

rendez-vous chenin blanc, clarksburg, california

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