Chenin Blanc

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Common synonyms: Pineau de la Loire, Chenere, Pinot Blanco (South America), Steen (South Africa), Fransdurif (Dutch)

Parentage of the grape: indigenous to the Loire Valley, France, perhaps related to Pineau d’Aunis (Chenin Noir)

Common synonyms: Pineau de la Loire, Chenere, Pinot Blanco (South America), Steen (South Africa), Fransdurif (Dutch)

Parentage of the grape: indigenous to the Loire Valley, France, perhaps related to Pineau d’Aunis (Chenin Noir)

History of the grape: Modern day French oenologist Pierre Galet states Chenin Blanc has been in France at least since the 9th century. Its origins are believed to be in Anjou, then it made its way to Tauraine (planted by Lord Chenonceaux, perhaps hence its name), and other parts of the Loire by the 15th century, and then into the Rhone. In the mid 1650s, Jan van Riebeeck of the Dutch East India Company brought vines to the Cape colony of South Africa. It was given the local name “Steen” after a history of mislabeling that plays out like a game of Telephone gone wrong: “Listan” which morphed into “La Stan” and then “De Steen.” Listan is Dutch name for a grape, yes, but the Palomino of Spain. What they in fact had was Fransdurif, a.k.a. the Chenin Blanc of the Loire. It eventually got to “Steen” from “Stein” because of its early resemblance to German “Stein wein.” In 1963, C.J. Orffer, chief viticulturalist at the University of Stellenbosch, formally declared Steen’s leaves match those of Chenin Blanc, and the name has stuck since. In the 1960s, a sweet blend of Steen and Clairette Blanche known as Liberstein gained international recognition. In the latter half of the 20th century, dry versions of the wine came into prominence and proliferation. In other parts of the world, Chenin Blanc was already gaining a foothold.

Characteristics of the grape: Dry: light to medium-bodied, apple, pear, cantaloupe, green melon, banana, lemon, sometimes faintly cinnamon. Sweet: candy apple, nuts, figs, caramel, brown sugar, toffee.

Regions where the grape is currently important: Loire: Anjou, Saumur, Savennieres, Vouvray, Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux, Quarts de Chaumes. South Africa, Caliofornia, Washington, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay.

Type or types of wines the grape produces: dry, off dry, sparkling (especially Cremant de Bourgogne), late harvest, fortified, Botrytis sweet ~Amanda Schuster

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

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Brown Brothers Chenin Blanc

Winery:	W.B. & S.A. Brown Ltd
Region:	Australia » Victoria » North East Victoria
Color:	White Wines

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The Languedoc's Sparkling Wine Secrets, Revealed

I have a theory. Easy to pronounce and easy to remember names help drive wine sales. Hence, Prosecco, the Italian sparkler has taken our shelves by storm, Picpoul de Pinet, the easy drinking white from the south of France has seen sales sky rocket, and...

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Mentor for Chenin Blanc Wines

Mary Margaret McCamic

Based in North Carolina, I'm a wine instructor at The Chef's Academy and owner of The Clever Vine, a wine consulting and education service. I hold the WSET Diploma and have a strong background in French wine, with a special interest in the Loire Valley.

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Chenin Blanc on Snooth

September 2020

Terre Brûlée le Blanc Swartland Wine of Origin 2018

Snoothrank:

This wine is made by a well-know Loire producer and his South African wife from 40 + year old Chenin Blanc vines. The colour is typically mute yellow with a nose of subtropical flowers and spice; entry is gentle, but with greater intensity than examples of this variety from the Valle de Loire. Electric, delicious and worthy. Superb value! 91... Read More

Wine review by zufrieden
August 2020

Bouvet-Ladubay Saumur Zero Extra Brut 2015

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by martins2002
July 2020

Sandlands Lodi Chenin Blanc 2018

Snoothrank:

Very pale yellow color. Somewhat of a tropical fruit nose. On the tongue, I get melon, kiwi and, maybe granny smith apple. Interestingly I do not get any acid tartness, but there is acid astringency around the edges of the tongue. Quite light-bodied. Good summer sipper. Read More

Wine review by EMark
June 2020

Aimery Blanquette de Limoux Societe des Producteurs de Blanquette de Limoux 1986

Snoothrank:

I bought this bottle of wine from the www.bidforwine.co.uk website for ... is ... is made with chardonnay and chenin blanc.The name 'Blanquette'comes from the white down on the vine leaves of the mauzac grape,I started my bottle the other day with a plate of salmon and salad.There were lots of fine bubbles so it was certainly a sparkling wine ... Read More

Wine review by duncan 906
June 2020

I recently had to have a fair amount of miscellaneous dental work done - ... Fournier rated very highly (Chenin Blanc); not cheap, but I have high expectations!Another gem was a Mount Pleasant Semillon from the Hunter Valley (2009) which I have had many times from previous vintages, and is world renowned. Obtained for a song.Finally, I foun... Read More

Forum post in the topic What's your Choice of Wine...
May 2020

Montlouis Vielles Vignes Domaine des Liards 1989

Snoothrank:

I bought this bottle of wine for £9 from the www.bidforwine.co.uk ... ... sparkling wines made3 of the chenin blanc grape,sometimes called 'pineau de Loire'in this area,from an area around the village of that name. This is located on the south bank of the Loire opposite Vouvray on the north bank.I started my bottle last night with my supper of... Read More

Wine review by duncan 906
May 2020

Chateau du Fresne Coteaux du Layon Faye d'Anjou 1985

Snoothrank:

I bought this bottle of wine from the www.bidforwine.co.uk website for ... ... ... white wines made of the chenin blanc grape [called pineau de Loire in this area] from 27 communes to the south of the town of Angers along the river Layon,a tributary of the Loire. Faye d'Anjou is one of six of those communes allowed to add their name to that o... Read More

Wine review by duncan 906
February 2020

Viano Vineyards California Hillside White NV

Snoothrank:

I bought this bottle of wine for £12 from a shop in London's Chiswick ... a ... a blend of 80% colombard,15% chenin blanc and 5%,muscat. I started the bottle last night with my supper of fishcakes with salad.This is a dry wine and it is quite acidic with a lot of grapefruit style fruit.There is also a suggestion of sour apple.It was a good mat... Read More

Wine review by duncan 906
December 2019

L'Ecole No 41 Columbia Valley Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2017

Snoothrank:

This Chenin Blanc from old vines in the Columbia Valley (WA) is of very high quality: lightest yellow in the glass, its nose is dominated by wild flower honey, lime and honeysuckle. Entry is smooth, gentle and with a hint of ginger, almond and green fruit or berry. Finish is medium with a touch of sweetness. Note to winemaker: don't pull out t... Read More

Wine review by zufrieden
November 2019

DV, Lynn and I managed to take a peek at Vessel this afternoon while cruising ... ... I picked up a 2017 Chenin Blanc from L'Ecole No. 41, and could have picked up some enticing Pieropan Soave from the most recent vintage. I was told by the knowledgeable and clubbable attendant that the elder Pieropan passed away just recently, which is a mi... Read More

Forum post in the topic And now for something...
May 13, 2011

My favorite Chenin Blanc is FMC from Ken Forrester.

Comment by 809697mjvieira 809697
May 12, 2011

You will not believe your luck- if you get the chance to taste Springfontein Jil's dune chenin blanc-It satisfies at all levels -enough said-try it! Oh yes, it is from Cape Province, SouthAfrica.

Comment by 86215dickjan 86215
Oct 2, 2010

Chenin Blanc 2000 from Arciero, has a blosomy yet worse. Vomit Blasting Effect on my mature palet! Yuccckkk!!!

Comment by 598477pavement 598477
Apr 1, 2010

Is arciero winery still producing chennnnin blanc with the archer on the lable

Comment by 442369anbhansen 442369
Sep 18, 2009

Recently introduced to Simonsig Chenin Blanc, really taken with it. So much so, that I have shared with friends. And, have friends who visited the winery. So fun!

Comment by 258665photojoy 258665