Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc Grape Variety Characteristics & Wine Profile

Last Updated on August 6, 2023.

Chenin Blanc is a versatile grape that originated in the Loire Valley in France, and has become an important grape in South Africa, as well as other new world regions. It is versatile in the sense that it’s high acid, complexity of aromas and flavors, and ability to become deeply concentrated, lend itself to a variety of styles. Chenin Blanc is made as a dry, still white, sparkling, dessert wine, plus demi-sec wines. It truly has something for everyone. With complex notes of beeswax, ginger, lemon verbena, chamomile, and jasmine, there is truly nothing like it. It’s a stand-alone stunner that can be found at a range of price points.

Wine Growing Regions for Chenin Blanc

In 1936 Vouvray, in the Loire Valley, was created as an Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC). The region is set along the right bank of the Loire River and has decidedly perfect soil anatomy for Chenin Blanc. Vineyards are usually planted on the plateau above the river bank in soils composed of gravel and clay on top of tuffeau. The climate is also special, in that the cooler regions are perfect for growing grapes for sparkling wine, while the more humid areas are conducive to the growth of noble rot for sweeter wines. 

South Africa has long been beating the drum for Chenin Blanc, focusing on the grape for still wines, as well as their dessert wines (called straw wines), that are made by raisining the grapes on straw. 

The region in South Africa that spearheaded the Chenin movement (sometimes called Steen there) was the Swartland, under producers such as Chris and Andrea Mullineux, Eben Sadie, David and Nadia Sadie, and Adi Badenhorst. 

California and Washington have had success with the grape as well, mostly using it in blends to add complexity or in dry single varietal bottlings. Lots of other new world wineries are picking up on the trend, with Chenin shining in New York State, Virginia, Oregon and beyond.

Surprisingly, Chenin has even found its way to Spain where it is mainly used as a blending grape in Pendedés and Priorat. The blend is called Somiatruites. Chenin Blanc is the primary grape in the blend, along with numerous other grapes including Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc and Xarel.lo. It is an interesting example of how Chenin Blanc can add balance and complexity to a wine.

Check out some of these beautiful Chenin Blanc Wines from all over the world:

• Alheit Huilkrans Chenin Blanc, Citrusdal Mountain, South Africa
• Astrolabe Wrekin Vineyard Chenin Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
• Château du Hureau Foudre Saumur-Champigny, France
• Thacher Shell Creek Vineyards Chenin Blanc, Paso Robles Highlands District, California
• Colinas do Douro Colheita Tardiva Chenin Blanc, Douro, Portugal
• Raats Family Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa
• Cedergreen Cellars Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, Washington
• Chappellet Signature Chenin Blanc, Napa Valley, California
• Paumanok Dry Chenin Blanc, North Fork of Long Island, New York
• Alfredo Roca Fincas Chenin Blanc, Mendoza, Argentina

Written By Carrie Dykes

Carrie Dykes is wine writer and reviewer living in the Hudson Valley region of New York. Her by-line can be also be found in Hudson Valley Wine Magazine, InCider Japan, The Cork Report and Wine Enthusiast Magazine. She is an international wine judge for the IWSC, where she uses the skills she has learned in her WSET Diploma training.