Dry Creek Vineyard, Clarksburg (California) Dry Chenin Blanc 2017

 With every new vintage of Dry Creek’s wonderful Chenin Blanc I wonder why this isn’t a more popular grape variety.  Part of the answer is clearly that not everyone makes such a luscious wine out of this exceptional grape.  Usually associated with France’s Loire Valley (think Vouvray), Chenin can be made in a variety of different styles, from crisp sparklers to honeyed sweeties and everything in between.  Dry Creek’s version is a dry wine backed by a good ratio of acidity and a graceful, somewhat oily texture.  Notes of pear and pineapple abound, with a whiff of honeysuckle in the background.