Chenin Blanc

TL; DR
Probably the most versatile, and certainly one of the greatest, white grapes on the planet.

So, what is Chenin Blanc all about?--red

This thrillingly high acid white grape can produce still, sparkling or sweet wine in a range of styles. Originally from the Loire Valley in France, it has spread to all corners of the globe, albeit in small quantities.

View our range and buy Chenin Blanc wine online here »

Where did Chenin Blanc originate?--aromatic

Chenin Blanc originated in central France, where it has been cultivated for nearly 1300 years! So despite the fact that it doesn't carry the same torch of fame as other modern grape types, it sure boasts rich history!

Who's famous for Chenin Blanc?--earth

Chenin Blanc is unarguably most famously from the Loire Valley in France. Thanks to the cooler climate here, the grape maintains high acidity levels which have allowed it to produce wines of many different styles! From crisp and dry still wines, sparkling wines, to off-dry still wines and even lusciously sweet botrytis-affected dessert wines, the Loire truly has a style of Chenin Blanc for everyone! The main regions for it here are Vouvray, Saumur, Anjou, Savennières, and Coteaux du Layon. Each of these appellations will indicate the style of Chenin Blanc you can expect if you see the name on the label. Here's a style cheat sheet:

Vouvray makes both still and sparkling Chenin, with the still wines ranging from dry to lusciously sweet depending on the vintage. These wines tend to be medium in body with fresh, fruity and floral notes, and rarely sees any oak. Anjou, on the other hand, is best known for dry wines that are more often than not, aged in oak. Move over to a nearby neighbour, Saumur, and you'll find a world-renowned source of sparkling Chenin Blanc using the labour-intensive bush vines. A little further west is Savennières and Coteaux du Layon. The climate here warms up a bit, so the Chenin Blanc tends to lend toward a riper, rounder, fuller body, with less delicate florality, and more richness. High-quality Savennières has gained a reputation for producing age-worthy Chenin Blanc, known to evolve with elegance and layers of complexity for decades in the bottle.

Finally, Coteaux du Layon. This is where some of the most renowned sweet wines of the Loire Valley are from, with special mention to two iconic sites: Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux, which rank among the world's greatest sweet wines!

Chenin, of course, has found great success outside of France too. Most notably in South Africa, where it's considered the flagship white grape! Here, old bush vines in Stellenbosch and Swartland are making intensely concentrated, rich wines that lean toward more tropical flavours than those from the Loire Valley.

It can also be found thriving in California, where, believe it or not, more Chenin Blanc is grown than all of France! However, most of these are used in blends (thanks to their high acidity, they can really help balance out a blend!). It's also extensively planted - though used mostly in blends - in Argentina too.

And of course, Australia has proven promise and has built quite a following for their bone dry, yet richly textured styles. The most exciting of these come from Margaret River and McLaren Vale. Some small amounts can also be found in New Zealand, Canada, and Chile — the best consistently coming from cooler sites.

Chenin wears a lot of hats, and boy does it wear them all so well!

What does Chenin Blanc taste like?--racy

Classic, dry still Chenin Blanc should have an aroma reminiscent of apples and pears, kissed with honey and then topped with delicate flowers like daisy or chamomile. There can often be a lanolin, 'wet wool' or paraffin oil character to the more complex ones, and the wines will show plenty of acidity with a crunchy, steely mineral character.

What are the main styles of Chenin Blanc?--cellar

Styles vary significantly between the Loire Valley and South Africa and Australia, particularly given the fact that Chenin can rock sweet, dry and sparkling equally well! But in general, the French wines tend to be more steely and mineral-driven with less of an emphasis on fruitiness. Whereas new world examples often lend more generous fruit flavours and a richer mouthfeel.

What pairs with Chenin Blanc?--plum

Chenin Blanc is a fabulous food pairing wine — with its sky-high acidity, it brings unparalleled energy to the table! It pairs beautifully with creamy chicken or pork dishes, meatier flaky fish, and rich seafood (especially white crabmeat and lobster). It also sings wonderfully with Cantonese classics like sweet and sour dishes served with all your favourite sides.

Don't overlook some tried-and-true classics: lighter meats like veal and pork work very well, along with richer seafood dishes and soft cheeses, especially chèvre. Additionally, Chenin Blanc’s vibrant acidity makes it an excellent match for fresh salad greens, particularly those with tangy vinaigrettes, bringing out the crispness and enhancing the flavours.

Recipe pairings for Chenin Blanc--earth

Quick Chicken Teriyaki
Sweet ‘n’ Sour Chicken Thighs
Griddled Pork and Apple Salad
Spaghetti with Crab and Peas
Roast Pork with Spiced Roast Apples

Fun fact--earth

There was a time when Chenin blanc was the most widely planted white grape in California! Chardonnay has since scooped up that title in the 1970s ;)

If you like this, you should also give these grapes a guzzle...--wines

Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc