Chenin Blanc
Definition - What does Chenin Blanc mean?
Chenin Blanc is a white wine comparable to Sauvignon Blanc or Pinto Gris (Grigio). It is a light-bodied wine, however within this category, it can be either a dry wine or a sweeter wine. It is a very popular white wine from South Africa where it is locally know as Steen, but it is originally from the Loire Valley of France.
Signature aromas and flavors of Chenin Blanc include apples, fresh white flowers and quince.
WineFrog explains Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is a white varietal wine that originates from the Loire Valley in France. However, it is a well-recognized wine from South Africa where it is sometimes called Steen.
In France, Chenin Blanc is mainly made into sparkling wines or dessert wines, as it does not make a very good neutral dry wine. Most winemakers prefer to halt the fermentation so that some residual sugar is left behind to give the finished wine more structure and character.
In South Africa, it can be found as a very light-bodied, dry wine or as a sweet dessert wine with characteristics from the terroir where the grapes were grown.
The drier styles of Chenin Blanc pair well with dishes like sushi and light Mediterranean tapas. The sweeter versions though, will go very well with more hearty meals like veal. Sweet Chenin Blanc is an excellent feel-good wine for a night in with friends or a family feast.
