World Famous Grapes
Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc was born and raised in Anjou in the Loire Valley in France, where it is also called "Pineau de la Loire".
Like Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc is very versatile and is growing worldwide.
The grape has a high acidity like Sauvignon Blanc, but the wines come in all forms: dry, off-dry, sweet, and sparkling.
Chenin Blanc Flavors
Ripe Apple, Pear, Pinapple, and Honey are typical Chenin Blanc flavors, with hints of Flowers and Minerals.
 Apple |
 Pear |
 Melon |
 Pineapple |
 Passion |
 Honey |
 Flowers |
 Minerals |
Chenin Blanc Profile
Chenin Blanc is known for its high acidity:
| SUGAR: | Dry 3g/l |
| BODY: | Light |
| FRUIT: | Medium |
| ACIDITY: | High |
| ALCOHOL: | 12% ABV |
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Serving temperature: 8-10°C (46-50°F) |
Chenin Blanc Food Pairing
Chenin Blanc pairs well with Vegetables, Fish, and Chicken.
 Aperitif |
 Salads |
 Vegetables |
 Asparagus |
 Olive Oil |
 Fish |
 Sushi |
 Seafood |
 Chicken |
 Ham |
 Soft Cheese |
 Chips |
Excellent Pairings
Spring Vegetables. Asparagus.
Light Salads. Chicken Salad. Ham Salad.
Prawns. Oysters.
Seafood. Squid. Crab.
Seafood Pasta and Risotto.
Fisk Cakes. Fish Paté.
Smoked Salmon. Trout. Sushi.
Cheeses
Soft Cheese. Goat Cheese. Feta. Robiola.
The Ideal Glass for Chenin Blanc
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The Sauvignon Blanc glass is smaller than a Chardonnay glass. It has a more narrow bowl to concentrate the crisp and citrusy aromas characteristic of zesty and fruity white wines. |
Chenin Blanc Cheese Pairing
Opt for cheeses with moderate saltiness and creaminess to balance the Chenin Blanc's acidity.
Add fruits (grapes, apples, pears), nuts (almonds, walnuts), or a light drizzle of honey to enhance the pairing.
Fresh and Mild Cheeses
Goat Cheese (Chèvre): The tanginess complements the subtle fruit notes in Chenin Blanc.
Ricotta: Especially good if served with a drizzle of honey or fresh fruits.
Mozzarella: Its delicate flavor pairs well with the wine's lightness.
Soft Cheeses
Brie: The creamy texture and mild flavor work beautifully with Chenin Blanc.
Camembert: Similar to Brie but with slightly more earthiness.
Fontina: Its nutty, buttery qualities make a good match.
Semi-Hard Cheeses
Gruyère: Mildly nutty and sweet, enhancing the wine's subtlety.
Manchego: A classic Spanish pairing, especially younger Manchego, which is less intense.
Asiago: Lightly aged Asiago adds a complementary tang to the cheese.
Blue Cheeses (for contrast)
Gorgonzola Dolce: Its mild creaminess contrasts nicely without overpowering the wine.
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Chenin Blanc Styles
Chenin Blanc is a terroir-reflective grape with a rather neutral flavor profile. Soil (terroir), climate, old vines, and winemaking technices can be much reflected in the wine.
In France, Chenin Blanc produces wines with high acidity, and flavors of Apple and Pear. In warmer climates, Chenin Blanc produces more tropical aromas like Guava and Pinapple.
The high acidity allows Chenin Blanc to produce a variety of wine types.
In Loire, early harvested grapes are used to create the sparkling Crémant de Loire.
Late-harvested Chenin Blanc, infected with noble rot, is used to produce dessert wines with well balanced aromas of Peach, Honey, and Marzipan.
Chenin Blanc in Europe
France
Loire is the French wine region most closely associated with Chenin Blanc.
The Vouvray Region
Chenin Blanc is the dominant white grape in the Vouvray region in the Loire Valley. The region has its own terms to describe Chenin Blanc:
Methode Traditionelle – Sparkling Chenin Blanc.
Sec – Dry Chenin Blanc.
Tendre – Off-dry Chenin Blanc (perhaps the most popular style in France).
Moelleux – Sweet Chenin Blanc (dessert wine style).
The Anjou Region
Anjou is best known for sparkling Chenin Blanc (Anjou Mousseaux and Crémant de la Loire).
Côteaux du Layon
Sweet Chenin Blanc from Côteaux du Layon, made with noble rot, are amazing, and world famous (Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux).
The Montlouis Region
The Montlouis region produces high quality Vouvray style dry Chenin Blanc.
Chenin Blanc in the New World
South Africa
South Africa accounts for about 50% of the plantings of Chenin Blanc.
Chenin Blanc is also commonly found in USA, Australia, and New Zealand.