Chenin Blanc (Sweet wine)

Overview

Chenin Blanc buds early but ripens late and is a vine of relatively high vigour and high yields. Chenin produces wines of characteristic bruised apple aromatics, with honey, straw, and mushroom complexity, and is made with various sweetness levels, especially in the Loire region, from the off-dry moelleux to the richest doux styles. Vouvray, Coteaux du Layon, as well as smaller appellations Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux.

Typical blends and winemaking

Sweet wine Chenin Blanc is always made as a varietal wine and unblended. The lighter styles of sweet wines are often made from late harvested fruit, whereas the richer styles are made with increasing levels of noble rot affected fruit, and as such in smaller quantities. Inert vessels such as concrete, resin, or seasoned old casks are most commonly used for ageing.

• Chenin Blanc (100%)

Typical aromas and flavours

Bruised apple, quince, honey, honeysuckle, buttercup mushroom, pear, hay, ginger.

Food matching

Depending on the exact level of richness, sweet Chenin Blanc wines has a wide variety of suitable pairings. As aperitif and alongside sweetly flavoured seafood, for the lightest demi sec versions; on to poultry or veal in creamy sauces or pork in apple sauce, for the medium sweet styles; and next to a range of apple, pear, or apricot tarts or pastries for the richest styles, as well as strong cheese, from Livarot to Roquefort, or even as a treat in itself.