Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is the most important white grape variety of the central Loire Valley. Styles range from bone dry to moelleux in appellations like Vouvray, Montlouis, Savennieres, and Coteaux de Layon. While the central Loire is a fairly depressed wine region of late and most vineyards are poorly farmed (yielding poor wines), the best of the central Loire wines are world class. Regardless of sweetness, these wines are incredibly rich and concentrated with enchanting honey-like fruit and long finishes. These wines have some of the greatest aging potential of all the world’s white wines. Chenin Blanc is also very popular in South Africa where it is sometimes blended with other white varieties.