Chenin Blanc Wine Guide
Explore Chenin Blanc, one of the most versatile white grapes. From Loire Valley Vouvray to South African old vines, discover styles from bone-dry to lusciously sweet.
Characteristics
- High acidity providing structure and aging potential
- Flavors of quince, apple, honey, and chamomile
- Ranges from bone-dry to nobly sweet
- Old vines produce wines of exceptional concentration
Key Regions
Food Pairings
- Pork with apples
- Thai cuisine
- Goat cheese
- Apple tart (with sweet styles)
Serving Temperature
45-50°F (7-10°C)
The Chameleon Grape
Chenin Blanc may be the most versatile white grape in the world. It produces everything from crisp, dry wines to rich, honeyed desserts, and even exceptional sparkling wines. This adaptability makes Chenin Blanc endlessly fascinating to explore.
Tasting Chenin Blanc
Classic Flavors
- Dry styles: Green apple, quince, citrus, chamomile
- Off-dry/sweet: Honey, baked apple, ginger, apricot
- With age: Lanolin, beeswax, marzipan, spice
On the Palate
High acidity provides backbone across all sweetness levels. Light to medium body when dry, richer when sweet. Typically 11.5-14% alcohol.
Loire Valley, France
Vouvray
The spiritual home of Chenin Blanc, producing:
- Sec: Bone-dry, mineral, age-worthy
- Demi-sec: Off-dry, honeyed, balanced
- Moelleux: Richly sweet, from botrytis-affected grapes
- Petillant/Brut: Elegant sparkling wines
Savennieres
Powerful, dry, age-worthy wines that can last 20+ years.
Coteaux du Layon
Lusciously sweet wines from late-harvested and botrytis grapes.
South Africa
South Africa grows more Chenin Blanc than anywhere else, calling it “Steen” traditionally. Old bush vines (30-50+ years) produce wines of remarkable concentration and complexity, establishing South Africa as a world leader in Chenin Blanc quality.
Key Regions
- Swartland: Old vines, rich, textured
- Stellenbosch: Elegant, fruit-forward
- Franschhoek: Fresh, aromatic styles
Food Pairings
Chenin Blanc’s acidity and range make it incredibly food-friendly:
- Dry styles: Thai cuisine, pork with apples, goat cheese
- Off-dry: Spicy Asian dishes, rich pates
- Sweet styles: Apple tart, blue cheese, foie gras
Exceptional Aging
Top dry Chenin Blanc can age for 20-50 years, developing extraordinary complexity. Sweet Vouvray from great vintages may last a century.
Learn More with Sommo
Use the Sommo app to explore Chenin Blanc across its full range of styles, from crisp Loire Valley to rich South African old-vine expressions.
Photo by Alexander Gluschenko on Unsplash
