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Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is a white wine grape originating from the Loire Valley in France. It is known for its versatility in producing a range of styles from dry to sweet, and is widely grown in South Africa, where it is known for its fruity character.
Also known as Steen, Pineau de la Loire, Pinot Blanco, the Chenin Blanc grape has a long history of winemaking dating back to the 9th century in the Anjou region of France, and takes its common name from a site known as Mont Chenin in Touraine. It was later widely planted in South Africa in the 17th century and became an important varietal there, producing wine with a distinct fruity character.
Chenin Blanc is a highly adaptable grape variety that can thrive in a range of soils and climates. It is relatively vigorous but can also be prone to developing high levels of acidity if not properly managed in the vineyard. As a result, yields are carefully controlled to ensure that vines do not become over-cropped. In terms of vineyard management, Chenin Blanc grapes can benefit from being trained on a trellis system and being spaced apart to allow for good air flow and sun exposure. The grapes are typically harvested in late summer or early fall and are known for their high acidity.
Notable examples of Chenin Blanc wines includes Loire Valley producers such as Chateau d'Epiré, Domaine des Baumard and Clos Rougeard, and South African winemakers like Klein Constantia, De Trafford and Ken Forrester.
Notable regions
The primary wine region for Chenin Blanc is the Loire Valley in France where it has been cultivated for over a thousand years. The grape is also popular in South Africa where it is widely grown and produces wines with a distinctive fruity character.
Elsewhere in the world, Chenin Blanc is notably cultivated in the US states of California and Washington, as well as Australia, New Zealand and parts of South America.
Characteristics
Chenin Blanc wines tend to be defined by their dry, high acidity profiles with medium to light body and no tannins.
The dominant flavours and aromas are usually green apple, stone fruits such as peach or apricot with some floral or mineral notes. In dessert wines, Chenin Blanc can often have a sweet and honeyed flavour.