India's Chenin Blanc

Sula Vineyards, Chenin Blanc 2003 ($12) -- Nashik, India; Yes, India has wine and this Chenin Blanc is lovely. Grown 100 miles from Bombay at 2,000 ft elevations and cold-fermented in stainless steel. It has a light fruit nose, soft buttery melon and honey taste with a smooth finish. It is made "in a semi-dry style" and it is only slightly sweet, more viscous and syrup than sugar. If tasted blind, one might guess Bordeaux. I am not kidding. There is a good balance of the fruit, the acid and the light sweetness. There were some titrates in the wine (no problem) and I had a corked bottle at an Indian restaurant a few months back, but that happens to the best of them. Try It!