There’s no need to travel to the Loire Valley for an outstanding glass of Chenin Blanc. Lang & Reed Wine Company in Napa Valley produces a stellar example. Earlier this week, I opened a bottle of Lang & Reed Napa Valley 2022 Chenin Blanc, Mendocino (sent as a sample) and paired each delicious sip with bites of homemade Curried Chicken Divan, one of my favorite recipes. What an exceptional pairing!
Tracey and John Skupny began Lang & Reed Napa Valley in 1993. Their goal was to offer expressive Cabernet Franc, having been inspired by wines in the Loire Valley and Bordeaux. With sommelier backgrounds, their love for Cabernet Franc led them to “explore its broad range of aromatics and flavors. In 1993, a prototype was crafted that was true to type, redolent in aroma, and pure in flavor, all the while maintaining balance and structure.” Vineyards in Napa Valley, Alexander Valley and Lake County afforded the Skupnys the opportunity to produce the style of Cabernet Franc they desired. Once their search expanded to vineyards in Mendocino in Northern California, the couple applied the same paradigm to Chenin Blanc.
Chenin Blanc is a signature grape of the Loire Valley, but the Lang & Reed Chenin Blanc stands toe to toe with its French famille. The Talmage Bench vineyard, located on the east side of the Russian River in Mendocino, is known as a prime location for growing Chenin Blanc. With a north facing slope boasting optimal drainage, grapes are ripened evenly without “too much heat accumulation.”
Lang & Reed Napa Valley 2022 Chenin Blanc, Mendocino ($35) was whole cluster pressed, left to settle for a day, then transferred into fourteen barrels. Four barrels were stainless steel and ten were French oak. Half of the juice was fermented on indigenous yeast and half was inoculated with select organic yeast strains. Lees were stirred bi-weekly until two months before bottling. The results from winemakers John Skupny and his son Reed Skupny are in the glass.
Beautiful aromas of yellow flowers, stone fruit, beeswax and herbs were a much appreciated delight – just wow. The round palate burst with flavors of savory herbs, spice, nectarine and rich orchard fruit, all lifted with vibrant acidity and minerality. Mouthwatering and lush, this wine was magnificent with Curried Chicken Divan.
Curried Chicken Divan
The dish has been on my play list for years. It’s a combination of broccoli and cooked chicken nestled under a sauce of chicken soup, mayonnaise, curry and lemon and topped with cheddar cheese and bread crumbs. Curried Chicken Divan is a flavorful and easy addition to anyone’s recipe book. And don’t forget to pour the Lang & Reed Napa Valley 2022 Chenin Blanc, Mendocino! The bright acid in the wine complemented the subtle curry notes and its rich texture was a counterpoint to the creaminess of the chicken and sauce. Find the recipe here. Perfection!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
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