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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Baron Herzog Chenin Blanc Clarksburg Yolo County Clarksburg United States California

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Chenin Blanc on Snooth

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...
November 2019

Dirty & Rowdy Mendocino County Chenin Blanc 2018

Snoothrank:

More of a fruity nose on this one. On the tongue, sure enough, a blast of lemon, pineapple. and, then, honeydew melon. As the wine moves back there are mineral sensations, Some serious acid tartness may put off some, but I find it gives the wine impressive freshness. Read More

Wine review by EMark
October 2019

Domaine Huet Vouvray Petillant Brut 2013

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by martins2002
August 2019

Hi folks!You probably remember me as a guy with fancy pairing choices, so here ... ... of Pinot Gris.I think chenin blanc, cabernet blanc and maybe crispy german riesling should be good as well...Give it a try with different kinds and let us know what you thin Read More

Forum post in the topic Fried apple & whites
June 2019

Baumard Coteux du Layon Carte d'Or 2000

Snoothrank:

I bought this bottle of wine from the website www.cellartrade.co.uk for £9.The ... ... 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.. Domaine Beaumard is a leading producer and this cuvee is made from old vines... Read More

Wine review by duncan 906
June 2019

Jasnieres Clos Saint Jacques Domaine Gigou 2015

Snoothrank:

I bought this bottle of wine from a shop in Wiltshire [www.yapp.co.uk] for ... ... dry white wines made of the chenin blanc grape from two communes,L'homme and Ruille-sur-Loir, in the Loir valley.The Loir [without an 'e'] is a northern tributary of the Loire [with an 'e'] Domaine Gigou is a small family producer in this area.My wine is made fr... Read More

Wine review by duncan 906
March 2019

Yeah, I know... the Chenin Blanc just "went down good" or something of that nature... but of course, there is nothing wrong with subjectivity that one elaborates upon. It is a matter of simple convergence: one listens to, reads and reflects upon the commentary of others and learns who shares certain preferences. Read More

Forum post in the topic What's your Choice of Wine...
March 2019

Domaine du Clos des Aumones Vouvray France 'Sec' 2017

Snoothrank:

This is a very good and disarming wine and while I understand the trend towards using steel tanks and looking for a more "authentic" flavor I find my self trending/tending towards a wine that has spent time in the oak. Read More

Wine review by Pickit4flavor
March 2019

This isn’t one of those “next great grape!” articles. People ... – Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc – are light and accessible. They are happy hour-friendly wines with a heritage. The days of deeming these wines ‘simple’ or ‘generic’ are over.The more time we spend drinking Loire Valley wines, the deeper we go into its grape catalogue. Enter Gr... Read More

From the article Ancient wine grape finds a home with millennial drinkers.
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