LET’S TALK CHENIN BLANC - THE WONDER WOMAN OF WHITE WINES

If Chardonnay is the Queen of Grapes, Chenin Blanc is definitely the Wonder Woman of grapes.

Why? Because Chenin Blanc is so darn versatile and has so much range, it’s a grape version of a Superhero. It’s about time Chardonnay stepped aside and we started paying attention to this chameleon of a grape that hails from France.

Chenin Blanc can come in many styles, ranging from sweet to sparkling to a still, high-acid white wine. Though this white grape is very popular in Europe, for some reason it never gets that much attention in the United States and is often second fiddle when compared to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. That typically serves to your advantage, Thurstqueen, because Chenin Blanc is often more affordably-priced than some of the more popular varietals I mentioned earlier.

WHERE TO FIND CHENIN BLANC:

There are more than a few countries and regions that are well-known for using this varietal to its fullest expression. Check out some of the countries listed below and what to look for when purchasing your first bottle of Chenin Blanc.

The Loire Valley (Vouvray & Savennières)

Still, sparkling, sweet - you name it. The Loire Valley is known for producing some of the most stunning expressions of Chenin Blanc on the planet. In fact - one of Chenin’s other names is Pineau de Loire. Chenin Blanc was introduced to the Loire over a thousand years ago, but it really hit its stride in the 1500s.

Chenin Blanc comes in so many styles. From honeyed and mineral to rich, sparkling, and refreshing. Many consider it to be more versatile than Riesling - which is probably the most versatile grape around. It’s a true chameleon.

If you’re looking for Chenin Blanc from the Loire, try regions like Savennières or Vouvray. Vouvray comes in a broad range of styles, ranging from Sec - a dry and lean style, to Tendre - the classic and typical style with a touch of sugar for a fuller mouthfeel, all the way to Demi-Sec and Molleux, which are the sweeter styles.

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY SPARKLING VOUVRAY AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

Sparkling Vouvray is made in the exact style as Champagne - the traditional method that undergoes two fermentation processes in bottle. As we all know, Champagne is expensive but sparkling Vouvray from the Loire is significantly more affordable and a better bang for your buck. You can find a lot of sparkling Vouvray in the $15-$30.00 range.

Sparkling Vouvray is probably the most common style of Chenin Blanc that you will encounter on your travels from the Loire. This bubbly beverage ranges from Brut (dry) to Demi-Sec which is on the sweeter side. So when you’re looking to score a bottle in the wild, look for ones that are done in the Brut style.

SAVENNIÈRES - A DRY, HIGH-ACID STYLE OF CHENIN BLANC

If you’re looking for a lean, mineral-driven and high-acid style of Chenin Blanc, look no further than the Savennières appellation of the Loire Valley. This appellation is highly regarded, and some of the best expressions of Chenin Blanc comes from Savennières.

If you get a Chenin Blanc from this part of the world, expect aromas of beeswax and chamomile, with plenty of minerality.

South Africa - (Stellenbosch, Swartland)

Chenin Blanc has a second home, and that is South Africa. In these here parts, Chenin Blanc is called, “Steen.” South Africa has the highest concentration of Chenin Blanc plantings in the world, and produces incredible expressions with laser-like precision that are pretty darn affordable.

South African Chenin Blanc is often blended with other varietals like Semillon and Viognier. Typically it’s much weightier, and fuller-bodied than its French cousin. South African Chenin also is steely, and very zesty - with no extra sweetness.

WHAT TO PAIR WITH CHENIN BLANC

Chenin Blanc has loads of acidity, around 12-13% alcohol content, and aromas of ginger, beeswax, and this distinctively honeyed quality. Despite those sweeter aromas, it’s got plenty of acidity to boot - making it a bit of a contradiction. Because there’s so much flexibility with Chenin Blanc - it can be a bit daunting to figure out what to pair it with.

For sweeter styles — try pairing with spicy Asian or Indian food.

That kiss of residual sugar makes Chenin Blanc an excellent wine to pair with Asian food. Consider Sichuan cuisine or anything with a little bit of heat.

For sparkling styles — try pairing with anything fried.

As you may already know, bubbly wines are excellent when paired with fried foods. There’s something about those crisp, cleansing bubbles cutting through the crispy fried fatty goodness of French fries, fried pork belly, or even fried chicken.

For sweeter sparkling wines, give them a go with Chicken Vindaloo, Mexican food, sweet and sour pork, or Korean Bulgogi. Jalapeño poppers and fried pickles with chipotle mayo would be an amazing bet as well.

For weightier, richer styles — try pairing with poultry, pork chops, and fish.

Chenin Blanc blends and those oaked styles from South Africa beg to be paired with pork chops, roasted chicken, and any type of meat that has a little bit of fat. Roasted salmon in a cream sauce would be excellent if you’re looking for a Chenin Blanc pairing in this style.

Consider treating these wines like a Chardonnay alternative, as pretty much everything an oaked Chardonnay would go with pairs beautifully with these Chenin Blanc blends.

For ultra-dry lean, lighter styles — try pairing with sushi, salads, ceviche, oysters, and shrimp tacos.

Chenin Blancs with a crisp, racing acidity coupled with higher minerality - like Steen from parts of South Africa and Savinèrres from the Loire - beg to be paired with all things fresh. I often find that vegetal salads and sushi tend to be the most difficult dishes to pair with a wine, but if I’m ever out and about at a sushi spot and see a glass of Chenin on the menu, I usually go for it if I want a thirst-quenching acidic wine.

PICK OF THE WEEK: VIGNOBLES LACHETAU 2020 VOUVRAY $9.99 @ Trader Joe’s

This honeyed, slightly off-dry expression of Vouvray from Trader Joe’s of all places pairs perfectly with Asian and Indian dishes of all kind. If you’re considering making Chicken Tikka Masala, consider picking up a bottle at your local Trader Joes.

There’s just a kiss of residual sweetness here, but it’s not overwhelming. Expect aromas of honeydew melon, ginger, and mandarin orange. This wine has a kiss of honeysuckle/fresh hay but plenty of acidity to cut through fattier dishes. There’s a distinctive mineral core to this Vouvray, which makes it a truly beautiful wine.

As a sub $10.00 wine, the Vignobles Lacheteau is a truly awesome value. I highly recommend scoring a bottle the next time you’re shopping at Trader Joe’s!