Where is chenin blanc grown in france

Climate and soil play an important role in shaping the style here and the wine appears in every possible guise, from bone dry to sweet, and still to sparkling. Winemakers on the eastern edge of the city of Tours, in Vouvray, produce both still and sparkling wines. Depending on the vintage, still wines can be dry or sweet, and are typically light-bodied, fruity, and floral. All of this is despite the fact that Chenin Blanc production has declined in recent history. According to a press release , over the past five years, Chenin Blanc was the fastest-growing South African varietal wine in the U.

Known locally as Steen, the grape arrived in South Africa along with the Huguenots in the 17th century. Grape growers initially favored Chenin Blanc for its ability to produce high yields and maintain bracing acidity despite the hot conditions. It was firmly established by the 15th century, and like Cabernet Franc, was also praised by Rabelais, the great epicurean writer. Unlike any other grape except Riesling, Chenin Blanc can be vinified in a range of styles from austere, mineral, and refreshing to rich, honeyed, and sweet, and its versatility surpasses Riesling in that it also makes excellent sparkling wine.

Chenin Blanc buds early and ripens late. This presents an element of risk in the Loire Valley, which is among the northernmost viticultural areas in France. But the grape compensates in many ways. In those years when the autumn is exceptionally warm, when there is no rain and when frost is late, Chenin Blanc is subject to botrytis cinerea.

In addition, the surface area planted with Chenin Blanc worldwide has been halved over the same period and now stands at 35, hectares. Yet Chenin Blanc can be used to make 35 French AOCs and is located in more than 20 countries, including the four main producers—South Africa, France, United States, and Argentina— representing 97 percent of the surface area under vine.

At present, there are around Chenin Blanc brands worldwide. Two thirds of the Chenin Blanc harvested in France is made into 60 million bottles of sparkling wine, 11 percent of which is represented by sweet wine. The Mediterranean-style climate is very hot, but cold sea currents and wind gusts provide lower temperatures.