The Wine Reference🍷 SupportChenin Blanc grape
Chenin Blanc is a white grape known for apple, quince, honey. Its best-known homes are Loire, South Africa.
Origin and history
From the Loire Valley, recorded in Anjou by the 16th century; DNA shows a close parent-offspring link with Savagnin.
Where it grows
Loire (Vouvray, Montlouis, Savennières, Saumur, Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux), South Africa (Swartland, Stellenbosch), California and Argentina.
Structure
Light to full body with searing, high acidity; made bone-dry, off-dry, lusciously sweet or as traditional-method sparkling.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: green apple, quince, pear, lemon and chamomile. With age: honey, lanolin, beeswax, marzipan and baked apple.
Ageing
Simple wines 2–4 years; top dry Savennières and Vouvray 15–30 years; sweet Quarts de Chaume and Vouvray Moelleux can last a century.
Also known as
Steen (South Africa), Pineau de la Loire.
Good to know
South Africa has more Chenin Blanc than anywhere else, including France; its old bush vines now make some of the country's most prized whites.
Wine regions for Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Sec
Loire Valley · Vouvray · Chenin Blanc
Dry Chenin: quince, honeyed apple and vibrant acidity.
Food: Pork with apples, river fish
Marc Brédif Vouvray Classic
Loire Valley · Vouvray · Chenin Blanc
Off-dry Vouvray: quince, honey and lively acidity.
Food: Pork, spicy food
A.A. Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc
Swartland Chenin: yellow apple, citrus and great value.
Food: Fish, chicken
A.A. Badenhorst Kalmoesfontein White
Swartland · Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc
Old-vine Chenin-based blend: textured, nutty and complex.
Food: Pork, roast chicken
Mullineux Granite Chenin Blanc
Single-soil Chenin from granite: taut, mineral and long.
Food: Lobster, scallops
L'Ecole No. 41 Chenin Blanc
Washington State · Columbia Valley · Chenin Blanc
Washington Chenin: apple, melon and bright acidity.
Food: Pork, salads
Mullineux Straw Wine
Sweet Chenin from sun-dried grapes: apricot, honey and fresh acidity.
Food: Fruit tarts, blue cheese
Domaine des Baumard Coteaux du Layon
Loire Valley · Coteaux du Layon · Chenin Blanc
Sweet Loire Chenin: quince, honey and acidity.
Food: Tarte Tatin, blue cheese
Similar white grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
The Wine Reference newsletter
New wines, stories and career guides, one email a week at most.
Over 18s only. Unsubscribe any time with one click. Your email is stored securely by Kit and never shared.
Support The Wine Reference
This guide is free, with no paywall. If it helped you choose a bottle, you can buy me a glass and keep it growing.
🍷 Buy me a glass