Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc photos, charts, maps, and wines.

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(aka. Steen, Pineau de la Loire, Pineau d’Anjou)

Chenin Blanc has flourished since the ninth century in its Central Loire homeland, on the highly calcareous, tuffa soils of Anjou and Touraine. Chenin Blanc’s tendencies towards read more...green fruit characteristics with mineral notes and pronounced acidity traditionally lead to it being made into an off-dry wine, where residual sugar balances its high-acid nature. Well made Chenin Blanc from the Loire has a distinctive, musty, damp straw aroma. However, these same characteristics have sometimes been incorrectly confused with the off-aromas found in poorly made, over-sulphited, sweeter versions of Chenin.

Chenin Blanc’s high-acid tendencies have made it popular in warmer than usual viticultural regions, like California and South Africa (where it is known as Steen), both of which easily eclipse total French plantings. However, in these warmer conditions, the wines tend to be much more neutral, rarely hinting at the complexity of wines from Loire appellations like Vouvray and Montlouis.

The reasons for this disparity may stem from the lack of regard afforded the variety by American vineyard managers and the US marketplace. In the shadow of more in-vogue varieties, like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc is rarely privileged with the best growing sites. No doubt North American Chenin Blanc would benefit from more moderate climactic conditions, lower yields, and being planted in the chalky type of soils which it performs so well in elsewhere. In California’s hotter bulk winegrowing regions, yields are often as much as 2 1/2 times the maximum allowable from Loire vineyards. Chenin’s response to such treatment is to make wines of little varietal character and complexity, lacking much of its typically refreshing, life-giving acidity. It isn’t surprising that such bland wines have doomed the variety to the role of jug-wine workhorse. However, a very notable exception to this is the Clarksburg AVA at the northern end of California’s Central Valley. Here. many producers have recognized the grape’s potential for high quality wine, and Clarksburg is beginning to build a reputation for premium wines based on its great success with the generally overlooked Chenin Blanc.

With a relatively thin skin, Chenin Blanc is susceptible to botrytis under the right conditions. Indeed, this variety makes some of the most luxuriously unctuous dessert wines, capable of aging gracefully for many decades, due in part to its typically high acidity. The variety’s natural tartness also makes Chenin Blanc a favorite base wine for sparkling production, particularly in the Loire appellations of Vouvray, and Saumur.

Underneath that mat of dusty, straw hair, there is the face of a superstar. You are flexible and graceful … a gymnast of styles. We’ve enjoyed your gold medal performances in France’s Central Loire where you excel on all the apparatus -- dry, sweet and sparkling. Now you are performing in a new arena, under the bright lights of Clarksburg in the Central Valley. Keep practicing, Chenin. Eventually, you will vault your way into the hearts of North America.    (hide)

jamesey reviewed Ballentine Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2007:

November 2009

jamesey

Ballentine Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2007

Starting at $14^.39 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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Gregory Dal Piaz reviewed Francois Pinon Vouvray Cuvee Tradition 2007:

November 2009

Gregory Dal Piaz

A classic wine in that gently sweet style known as tendre. The nose has a light honied tone over sweet quince past and baked apple and lime notes. On the palate it's got a lovely edge of sweetness that is well balanced by...

Francois Pinon Vouvray Cuvee Tradition 2007

Starting at $12^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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miztiffany reviewed Barton & Guestier Vouvray 2007:

November 2009

miztiffany

Barton & Guestier Vouvray 2007

Starting at $7^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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cruane reviewed Backsberg Chenin Blanc South Africa Western Cape Semi-Dry 2005:

November 2009

cruane

Backsberg Chenin Blanc South Africa Western Cape Semi-Dry 2005

Starting at $11^.44 Snoothrank: 3/5

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cruane reviewed Clif Bar Family Winery The Climber 2007:

November 2009

cruane

Clif Bar Family Winery The Climber 2007

Starting at $14^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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tlld0004 reviewed Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Chenin Blanc 2006:

November 2009

tlld0004

Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Chenin Blanc 2006

Starting at $12^.49 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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TerriF wrote in the forum topic: Moscato wines

November 2009

TerriF

Thanks so much...I appreciate the reply! Without a lot of time to attend wine ... those...have never tried a Chenin Blanc. I have found that I have enjoyed the few CA wines that I have tried so far, especially the Kendal...

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basilwino wrote in the forum topic: Moscato wines

November 2009

basilwino

Try "Marco Negri Moscato d' Asti" $15. Not too sweet at all. light fizz. Taste ... apple juice. Also try some Chenin Blancs from Calif and / or Washington. Around $11. It's a different grape but not too sweet and no fizz

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emscji reviewed Chateau Soucherie Coteaux du Layon 2007:

November 2009

emscji

We had this at the James Beard House, with a quince dessert, and it was lovely. Not too sweet or too heavy.

Chateau Soucherie Coteaux du Layon 2007

Starting at $19^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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emscji reviewed Chateau Soucherie Coteaux du Layon 2007:

November 2009

emscji

Chateau Soucherie Coteaux du Layon 2007

Starting at $19^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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photojoy commented on this page:

Sep 18

photojoy

Recently introduced to Simonsig Chenin Blanc, really taken with it. So much so, that I have shared with friends. And, have friends who visited the winery. So fun!

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