Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc — versatile white grape from the Loire Valley, France. Produces a range from bone dry to lusciously sweet, with honey and quince notes.

Also Known As

Pineau de la Loire (fr, Loire Valley) Steen (af, South Africa)

Regions Where Grown

Western Cape 138 wines Stellenbosch 114 wines Vouvray 73 wines Saumur 72 wines Loire Valley 65 wines Paarl 38 wines Swartland 37 wines Crémant de Loire 35 wines Touraine 35 wines Anjou 31 wines Coastal Region 23 wines Crémant de Limoux 21 wines

Countries

France 470 wines South Africa 421 wines United States 58 wines Argentina 25 wines Australia 17 wines Mexico 8 wines Brazil 7 wines Canada 4 wines

Top Wines

Réserve Passerillée Vouvray Domaine François et Julien Pinon · 4.70★ Cuvée Constance Domaine Huet · 4.63★ Reserve Vouvray Moelleux Philippe Foreau · 4.60★ Palladius Sadie Family · 4.56★ Radio Lazarus Alheit Vineyards · 4.56★ Brézé Saumur Blanc Clos Rougeard · 4.52★ Carbonifera Domaine Philippe Delesvaux · 4.50★ Coteaux de Saumur Château de Villeneuve · 4.50★

Grape Comparisons

Cabernet Sauvignon vs Chenin Blanc
Chardonnay vs Chenin Blanc
Merlot vs Chenin Blanc
Pinot Noir vs Chenin Blanc
Syrah/Shiraz vs Chenin Blanc
Cabernet Franc vs Chenin Blanc
Grenache vs Chenin Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc vs Chenin Blanc

Wine Styles

Late Harvest Pétillant Naturel

Flavor Notes

Chalk Flint Acacia Chamomile Apricot Guava Pear Pineapple

Winemaking Methods

Bâtonnage (Lees Stirring) Sur Lie Aging (Lees Contact) Pied de Cuve Skin-Contact White (Orange Wine) Wild Yeast Fermentation Cryoextraction

Related Guides

About Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is a versatile white grape from the Loire Valley in France and a signature variety of South Africa. It produces an extraordinary range of styles from bone-dry Savennières to lush sweet wines, always marked by high acidity and honey-apple character.

At a Glance

Color
White
Wines
1