Ina Smith - Interview with wine.co.za - Chenin Congress

Tuesday, 25 June, 2019
wine.co.za - Thomas Davidson (Editor)
In September 2016, a research exchange and networking meeting was held in Savennières, France, between the Chenin Blanc Association (CBA), the University of Stellenbosch (SU) and the various French research organisations in order to establish the grounds for the first Chenin Blanc International Congress in 2019. Ina Smith, Manager of the CBA, was present at this meeting.

As Ina prepares for the congress which is set to begin on the 1st of July, we asked her some questions in order to get a better understanding of what this congress might mean for Chenin in the future.

What do you think of Chenin’s future in SA?

Ever since the 1990's, when South African winemakers set on transforming this unremarkable grape into a serious contender worthy of critical attention, Chenin has more than ably demonstrated its appeal to consumers and specialists and the wider, popular market.  Chenin achieves more and more recognition as the driving force for SA.

What are the biggest obstacles facing Chenin in the global market?

Last year, Chenin was the only white varietal to show export growth, with year-on-year volumes up by 5%, a performance that forms part of a long-term pattern. However it is, especially in the USA, a very small category and Chenin remains lost in a misty world of Vouvray (mainly) and Savennières. It remains a very hard sell. 

What makes SA’s geography ideal for Chenin?

Chenin Blanc can be found in every district of the Western Cape. The versatility of Chenin Blanc in SA points firmly at the adaptability, resilience and longevity of the variety under various and ever changing conditions. Chenin Blanc makes up 18.5% of the total wine grape vineyard area in South Africa, producing 34% of the white grapes crushed and 23% of the total wine harvest (SAWIS 2017). With 17,242ha of Chenin planted, South Africa is the largest producer of this variety in the world.

What do people love about Chenin?

The versatility of the variety. Not all Chenin blancs are created alike! The grape variety ranges from dry and fresh, to riper and full bodied to sweet, and also sparkling. Chenin also has many signature aromas and flavours that set it apart from all other varieties. Even entry-level bottles can have remarkable complexity and Chenin blanc's versatility extends to the range of food dishes with which it can be paired.

Who and What is SA presenting at the congress?

  • Prof Johan Burger (SU) on future genetic research in Chenin Blanc
  • Irina von Holdt, founder member of the CBA, on the history of Chenin Blanc in South Africa
  • Marco Ventrella (chief viticulturist, KWV) on Chenin Blanc and climate change
  • Dr Hélène Nieuwoudt (SU) on the sensory analysis of Chenin Blanc 
  • Ken Forrester (chairman, CBA) on the economic model of Chenin Blanc in South Africa
  • Niël Groenewald (MD, Libertas Vineyards & Estates) on the wine-making practices that ensure best-in-class results in a changing environment
  • Valeria Panzeri (SU) on the impact of trellising systems on sensory aspects of Chenin Blanc wines
  • André Morgenthal (project manager, Old Vine Project) on creating an awareness of the heritage of old vines in South Africa and also on South African wine tourism
  • Cathy van Zyl MW on methods to compare, classify and judge the different styles of Chenin Blanc and also the evolution of the taste of Chenin.
  • Jonathan Steyn of University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business on exploring the demand-side status of South African old vine Chenin Blanc cues

What are you hoping to achieve from the conference?

The congress is a powerful vote of confidence in Chenin. Entitled “Chenin Blanc in a changing environment”, it will bring together the two largest Chenin regions in the world, South Africa and the Loire.  The event will focus on growing knowledge and stimulating further research into the grape.  It will also explore Chenin’s varied history, terroir and approach to wine-growing and wine-making, as well as its role in wine tourism.

subscribe to news
Ina Smith
Ina Smith



Ken Forrester
Ken Forrester

Neil Groenwald (Libertas Vineyards & Estates)
Neil Groenwald (Libertas Vineyards & Estates)

Cathy van Zyl MW
Cathy van Zyl MW

Marco Ventrella (KWV)
Marco Ventrella (KWV)

more news