Painted Wolf, Swartland (South Africa) Chenin Blanc 2017

 A juicy white wine with clean tropical fruit flavors and refreshing acidity on the finish.  A touch of oak gives it a little heft without overwhelming the flavors, and the modest alcohol level (a smidge over 12%) will be another selling point for many wine lovers.  This wine is terrific with creamy pasta dishes and with seafood (I had it recently with a minestrone-style crab soup).  The painted wolves the winery is named for are African wild dogs, South Africa’s rarest and most endangered mammal (only 5500 to 7000 dogs remain in the wild).  Each dog has its own individual markings, and according to the winery these animals are “charismatic, altruistic, persistent, social, elusive, inquisitive and playful.”  Donations from sales of Painted Wolf wines helps support the conservation of the wild dogs.