Tasting: The Delicious Monster White Wine Blend

Name: The Delicious Monster White Wine Blend

Variety of Grape(s): 60% Chenin Blanc, 20% Muscat, 20% Chardonnay

Region/Country of Origin: McGregor, South Africa

Vintage Year: 2020

Price: $6

Winery Tasting Notes: Inspired by the fruit salad plant which is a household favourite, this delicious wine hits the sweet spot on the nose and palate. It is a perfect blend of different white varietals, able to please the masses. This wine is produced especially by McGregor Winery from vineyards that are nestled between mountain foothills and nurtured by sunsoaked soils (from back of bottle).

Wine Folly Notes: Since this wine had Chenin Blanc, Muscat, and Chardonnay varietals, I took notes from each section of Wine Folly. Wine Folly describes Chenin Blanc as being highly acidic, having a range of sweetness, and having light body. Further, it has notes of quince, yellow apple, pear, chamomile, and honey and primarily grows in South Africa (e-text, 243-244). For Muscat, the text describes it as having minimal body, low alcohol, medium acidity, and minimally tannic. Muscat has tasting notes of orange blossom, Meyer lemon, mandarin orange, ripe pear, and honeysuckle. It is primarily grown in Italy (e-text, 328-329). Finally, Wine Folly describes Chardonnay as having medium alcohol, acidity, and body, as well as being minimally tannic and dry. It has notes of yellow apple, starfruit, pineapple, vanilla, and butter and is primarily grown in France (e-text, pg. 239-240). These descriptions made sense to me since the wine was acidic and the notes played well together as a blend in my opinion.  

My Review: It was exciting to try a white wine blend since I had not done so before. I thought this wine was okay, but I will most likely purchase another wine before buying this one again. Nonetheless, I do think for $6, this wine was well worth it. From smelling the blend, I sensed honey, melon, and citrus aromas. After tasting it, I thought it was very acidic and fruity. I could taste apple, pear, grapefruit, and honey notes. I tried this wine with a charcuterie board, which paired very nicely together and improved the wine by making it less acidic and pungent in my opinion. The charcuterie board featured gruyere and brie cheeses, toasted and buttered baguette slices, rosemary and cranberry crackers, sweet potato crackers, and green apple. We also had blackberry jam on the side (not pictured).