11/10/2023 0 Comments Chenin blanc![]() ![]() In fact, it’s believed to go back as far as the mid-17th century there, although it wasn’t properly recognized as such until much later. In South Africa, where it enjoys the most vineyard rows on the planet and the most of any variety in the country, it’s simply called Steen. Canadian winemakers also grow Chenin Blanc in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, as well as in Ontario.The 6 best wine club memberships you can get, hands downĮlevate your takeout food with the right wine (they’re all under $22, too!)Īlso known as Pineau de Loire, Chenin started in the Loire region of France. Growers in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico have long since used the grape in large production white wine blends. ![]() In the United States, Chenin Blanc is grown in California-most notably in Napa Valley and Mendocino-Washington and Texas, although producers in New York, Missouri, Wisconsin and Arizona have recently begun experimenting with it as well. New Zealand grows a small amount, most of which is produced in a sweet dessert style. Chenin Blanc in Australia is known for its much more pronounced tropical notes.Įlsewhere in the New World, the grape is still making a name for itself. The grape is often blended with Chardonnay, Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc in wines produced throughout the country. In Australia, Chenin Blanc is largely grown as a blending variety. While the grape was traditionally used as a blending component, today, it is the country’s most prominent white wine variety, capable of producing world-class selections that span the stylistic spectrum, from dry to sweet to sparking and just about everything in between. South Africa has the second most Chenin Blanc in the world under vine, second only to France. There, it can be traced back at least to the mid 1600s. In addition to France’s Loire Valley, Chenin Blanc is well known in South Africa, where it is also referred to as Steen. Some of the most famous Loire Valley wines-which run the gamut in style from sparkling to sweet to off-dry to bone-dry-are produced from this grape, including wines from the appellations of Vouvray, Savennières, Quarts de Chaume, Coteaux du Layon and Crémant de Loire. ![]() Round and balanced on the palate, Chenin Blanc has the ability to age for a long time in bottle. When Chenin Blanc is made into a dessert wine, it often develops more tropical and floral notes, including pineapple and white flower. Other fruits that are often prominent on the nose and palate include green apple, guava, pear and quince. Wines are also often described as having a perceptible minerality, as well as a palate that is rich in stone-fruit flavors. Clay-based soils are best for the richer styles of Chenin Blanc that are typically vinified sweet.Ī particularly identifiable grape based on aroma and palate, Chenin Blanc is often known for its notes of honey and straw. Calcerous clay, as is found in Vouvray, produces round wines with acidity that are anchored and substantial, while limestone-based soils bring forth more acidity than weight. Vines can thrive in areas with clay, schist and sandy loam, but the soil type will often dictate what style of wine is ultimately produced. It is a grape that, under the right circumstances, can benefit from the appearance of botrytis cinerea, or Noble Rot, a fungus that shrivels grapes and causes their juices to concentrate and intensify. Chenin Blanc grapes are yellow-green on the vine and hang in conical bunches.Īn early budding but late-ripening grape variety, Chenin Blanc produces low to moderate yields.
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