Chenin Blanc
The traditional home of Chenin Blanc is the Loire Valley of France, where It's been cultivated among picturesque châteaux since the Middle Ages. Chenin Blanc is a sturdy grape with high natural acidity and the versatility to produce crisp, dry table wines, sparkling wines, and sweet dessert wines.
From France you'll find dry Chenin Blancs from Saumur and Savennières, off-dry wines from Vouvray and Anjou, dessert wines from Coteaux du Layon, and sparkling wines labeled Crémant de Loire.
Outside of France Chenin Blanc is often used as a blending grape, with only a small percentage of it going into varietal bottlings. However, South Africa produces the full range of Chenin Blanc wines, referring to the grape as Steen. It's even used in their fortified wines and spirits.
If you've ever tasted a Vouvray, you know that it can be dry or it can be sweet, but there's nothing stated on the label that tells you in advance what to expect. As a general rule, as Vouvray moves up in price, the sweeter it gets.
The Model of Cooperation
Chenin Blanc is a cooperative sort of grape. It ripens in the middle of the season so that no extraordinary harvesting measures have to be taken. Because of its compact clusters, it's easy to pick. The grapes have tough skins that minimize damage as they make their way to the crusher, and their natural acidity helps the aging process. A number of California producers make the classic dry style of Chenin Blanc that typifies the Loire.
EXCELLENT AND RELIABLE CHENIN BLANC PRODUCERS
Chalone Vineyard Chenin Blanc (Monterey County, California)
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier (Napa Valley, California)
Casa Nuestra Dry Chenin Blanc (Napa Valley, California)
