If you're a wine enthusiast, or have friends that are wine enthusiasts, today's topic might not be entirely foreign to you. Chances are that in recent times, you might have heard the name "Chenin Blanc" being thrown around, spoken by wine geeks with a little too much fervor, gripping their glasses a little too tightly in excitement.

What exactly is it though? That's what we're here to find out. First, it is paramount to make the distinction: Chenin Blanc is both the name of the grape, as well as the wine made from said grape. 

The Chenin Blanc grape

If you've been sticking around with us for a while, you'll remember from our introduction to white wine grapes that Chenin Blanc is a variety that originally hails from the Loire Valley of France, but South Africa has surprisingly surpassed the region to be the top producer of Chenin Blanc wines. 

The grape is the single most planted variety in the country, accounting for 19 per cent of all plantings. Although this number might not sound that large, South Africa exports two thirds of the world's Chenin Blanc supply. That being said, Chenin is also grown in Argentina as well as California.

So Why Is It Getting More Popular?

Chenin Blanc is one of the most versatile grape varietals!

Wines made from the variety can range wildly from sweet, to dry, to sparkling, and even fortified (Especially in South Africa). Regardless of how one likes their wine, Chenin Blanc can cater to every palate. This is especially recommended for those that might want to explore different wines.

Chenin Blanc is a variety of grape that is relatively easy to grow, and its neutral nature allows for great versatility in absorbing the region's terroir, regardless of where its grown. Thick-skinned and naturally high in acidity, they can be vinified in various ways to produce everything from sparkling wines to rich dessert styles.

Older generations of Chenin Blanc leaned towards being demi-sec (off-dry), an expression that is said to be balanced by chenin’s prominent acidity. However, we now see a shift toward drier expressions.

Chenin Blanc also makes an a great food pairing!

Its high acidity also makes it an excellent pairing to a multitude of foods. From rich sauces, hearty meats, heavy carbohydrates and even borderline cloying dairy products, Chenin Blanc cuts through all of these spectacularly well! A high amount of tannins also aids in its complexity, but paired with a high acid level, also add to Chenin Blanc's allure: It ages exceptionally well, making Chenin Blancs both experimental and tasty young, or old.

Chenin Blancs being produced today in California are becoming increasing complex and rich. 

Another interesting development on the scene that has also been driving the renewed popularity of this varietal is the recent increase in great quality Chenin Blancs coming out of California. Historically, Chenin Blanc has never been as popular or as widely produced as other white varietals like Sauvignon Blanc. As a result, many Chenin Blancs being produced in California are being produced by older vines, which paradoxically, leads to richer and more complex Chenin Blancs. This realisation has since bolstered the appeal of the varietal.  

But Where Has It Been All This Time? 

Chenin Blanc vineyards in France's Loire Valley.

Chenin Blanc is perhaps not as popular a wine when put up against such powerhouses as the Chardonnay or Pinot Blanc. With international varieties already highly demanded, little thought was initially spared for the underdog sitting under everyone's noses. In fact, Chenin was traditionally used for brandy distillation and churned out as bulk “jug” wine for generations without a second thought, not regarded as "premium" as Chardonnays. And it's hard to blame cultivators – after all, why bet the farm on a relatively unknown varietal when the big moneymaking vines are a tried-and-tested profit avenue?

While this might seem disappointing to Chenin Blanc producers, it's a cheeky benefit to those wanting to get a bottle or two, as the price point is agreed to be generally lower.

How Do They Taste?

Those familiar with fashionable varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc might find Chenin's flavor an odd departure from the characteristic bold fruitiness of their favoured choices, due to its ability to offer a more variety tasting experience that ranges from high acidity to lots of minerality.

 Grapes affected by Botrytis, also known as noble rot. 

Chenin Blanc is more often than not associated with botrytized grapes, particularly in the Loire Valley of France. Botrytized grapes are affected by Botrytis cinerea, a fungus that can dehydrate grapes, concentrating sugars and acids. Botrytized Chenin Blanc wines would offer a more distinct honey presence, elevated sweetness and often with distinct nuttiness and ginger spice, while the texture turns thicker and more unctuous.

Common Flavors of Chenin Blanc

Dry Chenin Blancs tend to have notes of orchard fruits, citrus, and stone fruit, all while their signature acidity remains. It also has just a skosh of crisp minerality that underlies notes of green apple, pear, and citrus flavors. In the French region of Anjou, these wines are also said to have additional notes of lemon, and white flowers

Off-dry to sweet Chenin Blancs have their own flavors entirely. They are known to have notes of quince, honey, and ripe pear, along with a fuller body and balanced acidity. 

Sweet Chenin Blancs in South Africa have apricot, candied orange peel, and fig notes, while French offerings have notes of apricot, honeycomb, and candied lemon.

Sparkling Chenin Blancs in Africa are known to have notes of green apple, lemon, and subtle yeast, while their French counterparts such as in the Saumur region boast additional flavors of citrus and brioche.

Now, aged Chenin Blancs are a bit of a tricky topic. With this wine, producers want to showcase its characteristic crisp acidity. While it does have longevity, wines are not popularly aged in oak, and if they are, newer oak is used so as not to override its natural flavors.

For those that do age their wines, notes of baked apple, caramel, butter, hazelnut, or beeswax are present depending on region.

Lok Bing Hong A budding journalist that loves experiencing new things and telling people's stories. I have 30 seconds of coherence a day. I do not decide when they come. They are not consecutive.