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Chenin blanc [SHEN-ihn BLAHN (BLANGK)]C
Light to medium bodied French grape, crisp and fruity with high
acidity. This acidity allows many of these wines to balance the
sweetness and age for years, as with many Vouvrays and
Coteaux du Layon.
Primarily associated with the LOIRE region, chenin blanc is
produced in several styles, dry wine, medium-sweet wine,
sweeter late-harvest wine, flavorful botrytised wine and fragrant
sparkling wines. While old-wolrd in origin, Chenin blanc is
planted throughout the New World, primarily in South Africa and
California as well as Chile, Australia and New Zealand. It has
probably been grown in South Africa for centuries and is also
known as Steen or Stein. Yet, it is the French Chenin blancs
that set the world standards. They possess intense, facinating
aromas that are generally floral, melon, green apple, vegetal
and citrus. Sweeter versions will display bolder aromas
including tropical fruit such as pasion fruit and pineapple and
are balanced by the high acidity. Aged Chenin blanc develops
honey and toast flavors.
Light to medium bodied French grape, crisp and fruity with high
acidity. This acidity allows many of these wines to balance the
sweetness and age for years, as with many Vouvrays and
Coteaux du Layon.
Primarily associated with the LOIRE region, chenin blanc is
produced in several styles, dry wine, medium-sweet wine,
sweeter late-harvest wine, flavorful botrytised wine and fragrant
sparkling wines. While old-wolrd in origin, Chenin blanc is
planted throughout the New World, primarily in South Africa and
California as well as Chile, Australia and New Zealand. It has
probably been grown in South Africa for centuries and is also
known as Steen or Stein. Yet, it is the French Chenin blancs
that set the world standards. They possess intense, facinating
aromas that are generally floral, melon, green apple, vegetal
and citrus. Sweeter versions will display bolder aromas
including tropical fruit such as pasion fruit and pineapple and
are balanced by the high acidity. Aged Chenin blanc develops
honey and toast flavors.
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DRY:
Savennières, Loire, France
Vouvray, Loire France (look for alc. above 10.5%)
South Africa (alc. above 10.5%)
California (alc. above 10.5%)
Australia (alc above 10.5%)
Demi-Sec: Off Dry
Vouvray, Loire, France
To understand more about the relationship between alcohol
content and determining the dryness or sweetness of a wine
click HERE.
| Some Chenin Blancs to look for |
| Recommended Pairings |
| Chenin Blanc Grapes |
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