Chenin Blanc

ABOUT CHENIN BLANC

Chenin Blanc is synonymous with France’s Loire Valley, but it often comes as a surprise that over two-thirds of the world’s plantings are actually in South Africa. Chenin Blanc is somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades in the wine world, as it can be used to make a wide variety of wine styles. Although most commonly seen as a crisp, dry white wine, it can also be used to produce full-bodied, textural wines that give Chardonnay a good run for its money. In the Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc is also made in an off-dry or sweet style (known as ‘Tendre’ or ‘Demi-Sec’, respectively) as well as into a sparkling wine called Crémant de Loire. Chenin Blanc can boast tasting notes of pear, quince, apple, and honeysuckle, which often lend themselves to pairing with spicy food!