Chenin Blanc
A white grape originally from France’s Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc dates back to at least the 9th century, where it was first recorded by the Abbey of Glanfeuil as growing on the banks of the Loire River. Chenin Blanc grapes are yellow-green on the vine and hang in conical bunches.
An early budding but late-ripening grape variety, Chenin Blanc produces low to moderate yields. It is a grape that, under the right circumstances, can benefit from the appearance of botrytis cinerea, or Noble Rot, a fungus that shrivels grapes and causes their juices to concentrate and intensify.
Vines can thrive in areas with clay, schist and sandy loam, but the soil type will often dictate what style of wine is ultimately produced. Calcerous clay, as is found in Vouvray, produces round wines with acidity that are anchored and substantial, while limestone-based soils bring forth more acidity than weight. Clay-based soils are best for the richer styles of Chenin Blanc that are typically vinified sweet.
A particularly identifiable grape based on aroma and palate, Chenin Blanc is often known for its notes of honey and straw. Wines are also often described as having a perceptible minerality, as well as a palate that is rich in stone-fruit flavors. Other fruits that are often prominent on the nose and palate include green apple, guava, pear and quince.
When Chenin Blanc is made into a dessert wine, it often develops more tropical and floral notes, including pineapple and white flower. Round and balanced on the palate, Chenin Blanc has the ability to age for a long time in bottle.
France
Some of the most famous Loire Valley wines—which run the gamut in style from sparkling to sweet to off-dry to bone-dry—are produced from this grape, including wines from the appellations of Vouvray, Savennières, Quarts de Chaume, Coteaux du Layon and Crémant de Loire.
South Africa
In addition to France’s Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc is well known in South Africa, where it is also referred to as Steen. There, it can be traced back at least to the mid 1600s. South Africa has the second most Chenin Blanc in the world under vine, second only to France. While the grape was traditionally used as a blending component, today, it is the country’s most prominent white wine variety, capable of producing world-class selections that span the stylistic spectrum, from dry to sweet to sparking and just about everything in between.
Global Production
In Australia, Chenin Blanc is largely grown as a blending variety. The grape is often blended with Chardonnay, Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc in wines produced throughout the country. Chenin Blanc in Australia is known for its much more pronounced tropical notes.
Elsewhere in the New World, the grape is still making a name for itself. New Zealand grows a small amount, most of which is produced in a sweet dessert style. In the United States, Chenin Blanc is grown in California—most notably in Napa Valley and Mendocino—Washington and Texas, although producers in New York, Missouri, Wisconsin and Arizona have recently begun experimenting with it as well. Growers in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico have long since used the grape in large production white wine blends. Canadian winemakers also grow Chenin Blanc in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, as well as in Ontario.
Synonyms: Anjou, Blanc d’Aunis, Blanc d’Anjou, Capbreton Blanc, Confort, Coue Fort, Cruchinet, Cugnette, Feher Chenin, Franc Blanc, Franche, Gamet Blanc, Gros Chenin, Gros Pineau, Gros Pinot Blanc de la Loire, Gout Fort, Luarskoe, Pineau d’Anjou, Pineau de Briollay, Pineau de la Loire, Pineau de Savennières, Pineau Gros, Pineau Gros de Vouvray, Pineau Nantais, Plant d’Anjou, Plant de Brézé, Plant de Salces, Plant de Salles, Plant du Clair de Lune, Quefort, Rajoulin, Ronchalin, Rouchelein, Rouchelin , Rouchalin, Rougelin, Steen, Stein, Tête de Crabe, Vaalblaar Stein, Verdurant
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La Taille aux Loups 2018 Venise Cuvée Parcellaire Monopole Chenin Blanc (Vin de France)
France OtherOne of a pair of single-parcel wines from vineyards in the Vouvray ...See Full Review$50 -
La Taille aux Loups 2018 Bretonnière Cuvée Parcellaire Monopole Chenin Blanc (Vin de France)
France OtherA luscious wine from a single parcel in the Vouvray region, this ...See Full Review$40 -
Domaine de la Taille aux Loups 2018 Clos de Mosny (Montlouis-sur-Loire)
Loire ValleySingle-vineyard wines are a specialty of this producer. This one from old ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$40 -
Domaine de la Taille aux Loups 2008 Triple Zéro Millésimé (Montlouis-sur-Loire)
Loire ValleyThe toasty maturity of this rich wine is impressive. It balances the ...See Full Review$99 -
Domaine de la Taille aux Loups 2018 Clos du Hochet (Montlouis-sur-Loire)
Loire ValleyFermented and aged in wood, this wine has a good balance between ...See Full Review$40 -
Domaine de la Taille aux Loups 2018 Les Hauts de Husseau (Montlouis-sur-Loire)
Loire ValleyThis ripe, toasty wood-aged wine is concentrated, rich with baked apple, honey ...See Full Review$40 -
Domaine la Croix des Vainqueurs 2018 Le Bouchet Moelleux (Vouvray)
Loire ValleyA proportioned and poised wine, this manages successfully to balance intense honeyed ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$22 -
Saget la Perrière 2014 Château de la Mulonnière L'Effet Papillon (Savennières)
Loire ValleyThis is now a rich, mature Chenin Blanc. Its name indicates that ...See Full Review$34 -
Domaine la Croix des Vainqueurs 2018 Le Bouchet Sec (Vouvray)
Loire ValleyThis beautifully textured wine is full of fruit and minerality. Yellow- and ...See Full Review$19 -
Domaine de la Taille aux Loups NV Triple Zéro Brut (Montlouis-sur-Loire)
Loire ValleyBarrel aging gives this wine its creamy texture and underlines the apple ...See Full Review$30 -
Xavier et Agnès Amirault 2018 Les Quarterons Chenin Blanc (Anjou)
Loire ValleyThis rich, wood-aged wine is impressively structured, with ripe spice, almonds and ...See Full Review$37 -
Lobo Hills 2017 Roth Rock Farm Chenin Blanc (Yakima Valley)
Columbia ValleyThe aromas intrigue, with notes of muscat gummy, mineral, toasted grape nuts ...See Full Review$22 -
Domaine de la Commanderie 2018 Cuvée Elégance (Chinon)
Loire ValleyIn keeping with the style of this producer's white wines, this is ...See Full Review$19 -
Complices de Loire 2019 Clair de Lune (Montlouis-sur-Loire)
Loire ValleyBaked-apple flavors come from this fruity wine. Lightly honeyed and with touches ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$34 -
Domaine la Croix des Vainqueurs NV Brut Chenin Blanc-Chardonnay (Crémant de Loire)
Loire ValleyA blend of half-and-half Chenin and Chardonnay, this is deliciously crisp. Apple ...See Full Review$20 -
Domaine de la Petite Roche 2019 Origine Chenin Blanc (Anjou)
Loire ValleyThis soft and generous wine has apple flavors and a pure line ...See Full ReviewN/A -
Domaine de la Taille aux Loups NV Brut Tradition Chenin Blanc (Touraine)
Loire ValleyThe honeyed flavors of Chenin Blanc sing in this attractive wine with ...See Full Review$25 -
Domaine la Croix des Vainqueurs NV Le Bouchet Brut (Vouvray)
Loire ValleyTwo years aging after the disgorgement has just begun the maturing process ...See Full Review$19 -
Rotation Vineyards 2019 Rosé (Lodi)
Central ValleyA savory, earthy aroma blends into juicy peach and delicate spice flavors ...See Full Review$16 -
Saget la Perrière 2018 M de Mulonnière Chenin Blanc (Anjou)
Loire ValleyThis ripe, nutty and creamy wine comes from an estate west of ...See Full Review$17
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