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Chenin Blanc

Medium white, dry to sweet

Chenin Blanc: taste & food pairing

Say it: SHEN-in BLAHNK · Also called Vouvray, Savennières, Steen (South Africa)

High-acid, honeyed and versatile: quince, apple and chamomile in styles from bone-dry to sweet. South Africa makes some of the best values in white wine.

BodyLightFull
SweetnessDrySweet
AciditySoftCrisp
TanninSmoothGrippy
AlcoholLowHigh
Tastes likequince, yellow apple, honey, chamomile, lanolin
Alcohol12-14%
Serve at45-52°F (7-11°C)
GlassWhite wine glass
Decant?Occasionally for Savennières
What to payFrom $12

Chenin Blanc is the Loire Valley’s great white grape (made dry, off-dry, sweet and sparkling) and South Africa’s most planted variety. Its high acidity lets it age for decades.

Best food with Chenin Blanc

MeatPork Pinot Noir · Riesling · Chenin Blanc PoultryThanksgiving turkey Pinot Noir · Gamay (Beaujolais) · Riesling MeatHam Riesling · Pinot Noir · Gamay (Beaujolais) Spicy & AsianIndian curry Riesling · Gewürztraminer · Viognier Spicy & AsianChinese food Riesling · Pinot Noir · Chenin Blanc PoultryRoast chicken Chardonnay · Pinot Noir · Gamay (Beaujolais)

How it tastes

Quince, yellow apple, pear, honey and chamomile, often with a waxy, lanolin note. Vouvray labels say sec (dry), demi-sec (off-dry) or moelleux (sweet).

Food it loves

Pork with apples, roast turkey, ham and mildly spiced dishes. Off-dry Vouvray is great with Chinese food.

Buying tips

South African Chenin offers remarkable quality under $20. For something special, try Savennières or a top Vouvray.

Where it’s grown

Loire Valley (Vouvray, Savennières) South Africa

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If you like Chenin Blanc, try…

Aromatic white, dry to sweetRiesling lime · green apple · peach · honey · petrol (with age) Full-bodied white (oaked) or crisp (unoaked)Chardonnay yellow apple · lemon · pineapple · butter · vanilla and toast (oak) Full-bodied aromatic whiteViognier apricot · peach · honeysuckle · orange blossom · vanilla