Chenin Blanc is a grape variety associated with the Loire Valley, France. Jancis Robinson writes in Wine Grapes that it was initially planted in Anjou, but likely got its name from being planted in Montchenin, a monastery near Corméry by Denis Briçonnet, the Abbot of Corméry. Between 1520 and 1535, the Abbot planted many varieties of grapes but one that did especially well was called Plant d'Anjou. When the grape was propagated across the Touraine region the variety took its name from Montchenin and was called Chenin.
The Loire Valley produces Chenin Blanc in a variety of styles. The map below will provide some guidance as to what regions produce Chenin Blanc.1 The bottle label is not necessarily indicative of the style, instead, the label will say in what region the Chenin was made. Nevertheless, there are regions where a certain style predominates. I tried to gather the information to provide a guide as to the various styles of Chenin Blanc that you might find in the various Loire regions. They are tabulated below.
Locale | ||
Vouvray Savennières Saumur Anjou |
sec (dry) | lean, crisp, green apple, lemon/lime, mineral, flint, gravel |
Vouvray Savennières Montlouis-sur-Loire |
demi-sec (off-dry) |
ripe pear, ginger, jasmine, passion fruit, and honeycomb |
Vouvray Bonnezaux Coteaux de l'Aubance Savennières Quarts de Chaume Coteaux de Layon |
moelleux (mellow/mild) | dried persimmon, toasted almond, mango, ginger, and mandarin orange. |
Vouvray | doux (sweet) | honey |
Vouvray Saumur Montlouis-sur-Loire |
Sparkling Crémant de Loire |
quince, yellow apple, plum, ginger, and floral notes |
References:
1. The map of the Loire region is from Wine Tour France.
2. J. Robinson, J. Harding and J. Vouillamoz, Wine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours, pg 236-239.
3. Casten, Damien, Chenin Blanc: Beginners Guide to Wine.
4. Wine Folly, Chenin Blanc.
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