---
title: Chenin Blanc
description: The charm of Chenin Blanc, one of the Loire Valley's most beguiling grape.
---

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# Chenin Blanc: the Best Grape You Have Never Heard of

![Chenin Blanc grapes on the vine](https://www.wineforrookies.com/hs-fs/images/534px-Chenin_blanc_grapes.jpg?width=299&height=336&name=534px-Chenin_blanc_grapes.jpg "Chenin Blanc grapes on the vine")  
Photo by [@chrisada on flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisada)

Oh Chenin Blanc! A variety that does not get nearly enough love in our opinion. It's brilliant acidity and honeysuckle perfume lend elegance to everything from bone dry Vouvrays to sticky sweet Quarts de Chaume in the Loire valley. The reason that you might not have heard of it is because it has only made a splash in one country outside of its native [France](https://www.wineforrookies.com/wine-regions/old-world-wine/French-wine/), the up and coming [South Africa](https://www.wineforrookies.com/wine-regions/new-world-wine/the-americas/south-african-wine/).

**In the Vineyard**

Chenin buds early but ripens late. This lengthy growing season leave more opportunity for it to be devoured by pests, or destroyed by bunch rot or sunburn (Yes grapes can get sunburned). It is also prone to Botritis Cinerea (aka the noble rot)  
It thrives in maritime climates (those near seas, lakes or oceans), and in “tuffeau” clay, sand,  or gravel soils

**In the Winery**

Although Chenin can benefit from a boost of old neutral oak which offers more subtle flavor enhancements, it fares best in stainless steel.

Chenin can run the gamut from sparkling to bone dry to sticky sweet depending upon what the winemaker wishes.

**Where it rocks**

In France, Chenin is most widely used in Loire Valley. If you see **Anjou, Touraine, Vouvray, Savennières **or **Jasnieres **on the label and it is a white wine, it is most likely made with Chenin. Our fave producers: Nicolas Joly, Domaine Richou, Phillippe Foreau, Domaine de la Bellivière, Damien Lareau.

In the new world, Chenin is increasingly used in California to make dry quality wines but can also find its way in to jug wines (don't blame the victim). 

It's most famous new world home is South Africa, where it is also known as Steen. Production here is three times as much as in its native France, but the quality is not always there. ken Forrester makes an awesome one which is offers superb bang for the buck.

** Profile**

Color: Pale straw yellow to deeper aged yellow gold of aged sweet dessert wine  
Aroma: Dried flowers, lightly honeyed quince, mushroom, honey, damp straw, hay, grass, marzipan  
Body/Texture: Medium to Full  
Acidity: Medium plus to high   
Alcohol: Medium   
Flavors: Lemon zest, fresh apricot, ripe pear, orange peel, honey, damp straw, citrus, honeysuckle, hazelnut, toasted brioche.

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