Chenin blanc
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chenin blanc | |
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| A single cluster of chenin blanc. | |
| Also called: | Steen, Pineau de la Loire, Pinot Bianco |
| Origin: |  Loire, France |
| Notable regions: | (see major regions) |
Chenin blanc (or often simply Chenin) is a widely grown wine grape variety, also known as Steen in South Africa, and Pineau de la Loire in the Loire region of France, where it originates.[1]
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[edit] Description
Chenin blanc is considered by many to be the most versatile of all the wine grape varieties.[1] It produces crisp and dry table wines as well as light sparkling wines. It also is used to produce dessert wines and brandy.[1] Chenin is resistant to many diseases and has vine vigor. It tends to early bud break and can also ripen late well. It can grow in warm climates which are usually too warm for many vinifera types. Its versatility also applies wo where it can grow as it can be grown in many soil types. The vines yield a consistent five to eight tons per acre. Still, the grape is susceptible to bunch rot and sun burn.[1] The high acidity of this wine helps the wine age well. It is used to make white wines in a number of styles with or without some residual sugar.
[edit] Regional production
In France's Languedoc region, Malbec is used to make a sparkling wine called blanquette de Limoux.[2] It is the favored grape of the Anjou region of France and, although naturally a hard, acidic grape slow to mature, is made into fine sweet wines that age well for at least ten years in the bottle. In the United States the grape often ends up in the jug wines of bulk producers as acidity enhancer for otherwise high sugar/alcohol blends. Chenin is the third most planted grape in California.
The finest Chenin wines have generally come from the Loire Valley region of France, where the region's versatility is exploited to great effect. The sweet wines made in exceptional years from botrytized vines are among the longest-lasting of all wines, and the great dry white wines of the region are again often listed among France's finest whites. It is even used to make sparkling wines, particularly the wines of Saumur. In most cases, and certainly in the sweet wines, the grape is used unblended, though on occasion up to 20 percent Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc can be added. The region's wines are best exemplified by the appellations of Vouvray and Savennières.
Chenin is the most widely-grown grape in South Africa, accounting for around 30 percent of the country's vines. The wine made there is generally bland and acidic, often with overtones of grass or green apples[citation needed]. The grape is known as Pinot Blanco in Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Argentina. There are over 10,000 acres of chenin blanc in Argentina. Australia has about to 1,500 acres and New Zealand 500.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e http://www.winepros.org/wine101/grape_profiles/chenin.htm
- ^ * Joseph, Robert. (2005). French Wine Revised and Updated, New York: DK Publishing. ISBN 0-7566-1520-8
[edit] External links
| Wine styles: | Red/White • Rosé/Blush • Sparkling • Dessert • Fortified • Fruit • Ice Wine | |
| Notable varietals: |
White Albariño • Chardonnay • Chenin blanc • Gewürztraminer • Muscat • Pinot blanc • Pinot gris • Riesling • Sauvignon blanc • Sémillon • Viognier |
Red Cabernet Franc • Cabernet Sauvignon • Carmenère • Durif • Gamay • Grenache • Malbec • Merlot • Petit Verdot • Pinotage • Pinot noir • Sangiovese • Syrah/Shiraz • Tempranillo • Zinfandel |
| Notable regionals: |
Amarone • Asti • Barolo • Barossa • Beaujolais • Bordeaux • Burgundy • Chablis • Champagne • Chianti • Commandaria • Dão • Egri Bikavér • Madeira • Marsala • Port • Retsina • Rhône • Rioja • Sancerre • Sauternes • Sherry • Tokaji • Valpolicella • Vermouth • Vinho Verde • Vouvray | |
| See also: | Glossary of wine terms • List of grape varieties • List of wine-producing regions • List of wine producing countries • Winemaking | |
