Kenyan wine is growing in quality and opens up horizons to those who want to invest in the vine in a country that offers great opportunities in terms of territory and that, with the climate changes underway, is all to be rediscovered and re-verified.
For the past ten years we have been following the commercial and passion parable of the Leleshwa winery in Naivasha. Their Sauvignon Blanc started from barely acceptable levels, comparing them with the centenary South African tradition, but already more promising than the famous Naivasha White that the English produced in the nineties and that had neither body nor soul, but on the other hand an acidity that was only compensated by an excessively fruity aftertaste, which could only please newcomers to the must.
Today, thanks to a deeper knowledge of wine throughout Kenya and the use of modern techniques, while taking into account the authenticity of the product, Leleshwa is a wine that is appreciated and does not fear comparison with an average wine of Stellenbosch and its surroundings.
The price of Leleshwa's basic white wine is not much higher than that of almost chemical grape seeds such as Culemborg and Versus and it is therefore worth betting on Kenya.
For a few, also because of the price as well as the limited edition, the Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2019, the latest arrival at Leleshwa. Tasting price (Kes. 1500 against about 800 of the base) for this rarity in which the fruity notes are reduced to a minimum and the roundness on the palate makes you forget the body still a little 'ephemeral. You can see the effort of quality and the desire to amaze, trusting the beautiful volcanic hills that are reflected in the lake of the Rift Valley.
Let's remember where we are and applaud this product of African land, a few dozen kilometers below the equator. Cheers Kenya!