Is Chenin Blanc a varietal?

Other wine styles and French Chenins While most Chenin blanc is produced as a varietal wine, up to 20% of Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc are permitted in wines with the basic Anjou, Saumur, and Touraine designations.

What wines are made from Chenin Blanc?

These 11 bottles are just the start of a Chenin Blanc exploration, but trust us — it’s a delicious journey.

• Champalou Vouvray Brut NV.
• François Chidaine Pétillant Brut NV.
• Domaine Huet ‘Le Haut-Lieu’ Vouvray Sec 2016.
• Benoit Courault ‘Gilbourg’ Anjou Blanc 2014.
• Domaine Mosse Anjou Blanc 2015.

What are the characteristics of Chenin Blanc?

Chenin Blanc in its most classic form in the Loire Valley is full of floral and honeyed aromas and quince and apple-like flavours with good zippy acidity. When cool-fermented as in so many instances in South Africa, it can be quite peardroppy, becoming more peachy in fuller dry whites.

What does Chenin mean in wine?

Definition of chenin blanc : any of various white wines ranging from dry to sweet made from a grape originally grown in the Loire valley.

Where are Chenin Blanc grapes grown?

Chenin blanc vines are planted in France, but is quite predominantly grown in New World wine regions like South Africa, the United States, and Australia.

Why Chenin Blanc is the most commonly planted grape variety in South Africa?

Chenin blanc is also used to make sweet South African wines and even fortified wines and brandy. High yields, its incredible versatility and ability to grow on land unsuitable for other white wine grape varieties have contributed to the success of the Chenin Blanc cultivar.

Where do Chenin Blanc grapes grow?

Where does the best Chenin Blanc come from?

Chenin Blanc is found in most New World wine regions, and is the most widely planted grape variety in South Africa, but its native heartland is France’s Loire region, where its known as Pineau or Pineau de la Loire.

Where does Chenin Blanc grow?

What is Chenin Blanc South Africa?

In South Africa, Chenin Blanc is sometimes blended with Semillon, Viognier, and Marsanne to make a richer-styled wine similar to an oaked Chardonnay but with a sweeter taste. Also in South Africa, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc are blended to create a fresh and zesty dry wine.

Where is Chenin blanc grapes grown?

California grows more Chenin Blanc than all of France, but most of these grapes are used in generic white blends. Argentina also has a significant number of Chenin Blanc vines, and the variety is often blended with Chardonnay or Torrontes to create light white wines with little distinction.

What is a Chenin blanc wine?

Chenin Blanc is a white, aromatic wine with moderate to high levels of fresh acidity. Its color can range from limpid, yellow tones to fully golden-brown hints depending on its age and maturation (in barrel, for instance).

Is Chenin related to Cabernet Sauvignon?

Through Chenin’s half-sibling relationship with Sauvignon blanc, the grape is related as an aunt/uncle variety to the Bordeaux wine grape Cabernet Sauvignon which is the offspring of Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Franc.