Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is native to the Loire Valley. Even today, it is ubiquitous in its region of origin, where it produces dry, mellow, syrupy and sparkling whites. Appreciated for its freshness, it has conquered many producing countries, from Canada to South Africa.

Author Équipe SAQ

Published on September 24, 2021

Its evolution

Did you know ?

It is the source of great dry whites (Savennières, Vouvray) and syrupy (Bonnezeaux, Coteaux-du-Layon, Quarts-de-Thatch) from the Loire Valley. Although the Loire is the birthplace of this grape variety, it is in South Africa that we find the most abundant plantation.

Chenin-blanc in all its forms

Colour

Depending on its age, its aging (in wood or not) as well as its dry, semi-dry or sweet style, its colour will oscillate between light straw yellow and strong golden nuances. Some sweet wines from a few decades will have an intense amber hue.

Nose

Fine and distinctive, it develops aromas of green apple and pear, and is often marked by great minerality (chalk). When vinified as a sweet wine, it is best known for its aromas of honey and fruit (peach, apricot, acacia, quince) enhanced with brioche and barley sugar.

Taste

Very lively, it is also characterized by a minerality giving the wine a thirst-quenching power. The aromas will be those perceived on olfaction and the ample texture will obviously be creamier if stirring (the action of resuspending the lees in the wine) is carried out during aging. For sweet wines, freshness and smoothness are combined with a tasty and persistent finish with exotic fruit.