Chenin blanc is a grape variety used in various styles of wines due to its neutral aromatic character and good acidity. South Africa has the world’s biggest area planted with Chenin blanc vineyards with over 17 000 ha’s. As the plantings stretch over all the South African wine regions, Chenin blanc is the one variety found in all the different soil types and different climatic conditions. There are also a great number of older Chenin blanc vineyards and over the past few years the wines made from these vines have been appraised by many local and international wine critics.
With the above in mind, and knowing that the winemakers ‘intervention’ also drives the style, it should be evident that a great diversity of Chenin blanc wines are produced in South Africa. Below, a range of sensory attributes that are associated with South African Chenin blanc wines is shown and indicated to what degree they tend to be displayed in fresher and in richer wine styles.
This profile of Chenin blanc, with its range of attributes, was compiled as a guide and a reference for the wine consumer to familiarize themselves with the nuances in Chenin blanc wines. As Chenin blanc is such a versatile grape variety producing a series of wine styles, it is often difficult to associated a specific identity with this variety.
The fresh and rich styles of Chenin blanc represent scales on which the aroma attributes could vary. The production of a fresher or richer style Chenin blanc wines could be influenced by differences in the site the vines are grown, the maturity level grapes are picked at and the winemaking practices used.
The profile was created by the Institute for Wine Biotechnology and the Department of Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University. The information in the profile is based on actual data generated since 2007, through the tasting and sensory evaluation of around 3000 commercial Chenin blanc wines in South Africa. A sensory wheel with an even greater selection of aroma descriptors was also created and this profile is a summary of the most representative descriptors used in South African Chenin blanc wines.
The aim with this profile is to educate the consumer and to showcase SA Chenin blanc locally and internationally.
For more information, contact Stellenbosch University (Institute for Wine Biotechnology, Department of Viticulture and Oenology): Hélène Nieuwoudt (hhn@sun.ac.za)
“To associate Chenin blanc with South Africa in the minds of US consumers is a way to begin the conversation.It’s easier for them to first get their heads around South Africa as a producer of this amazingly refreshing wine that’s so food-friendly than to tell them the country’s strongest suit is its ability to make wine in a huge variety of different styles. Instead of staking your claim by saying you can do everything,” she urged producers to “highlight what you do best.”
Lauren Buzzeo, Managing Editor and Tasting Director, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, July, 2017
“The Chenin Blanc Association has grown in stature both locally, as well as internationally and represents the largest single segment of the SA wine industry. Chenin blanc offers something very unique to our consumers and is probably the most effective driver of our industry.”
Ina Smith, Manager, Chenin Blanc Association (CBA), October, 2017
