Grape Varietal Blog- Chenin Blanc
Chenin
Blanc is one of those special grape varieties that every wine connoisseur
should become familiar with. It can be found almost anywhere in the world.
It is mostly produced to create white wine. But with the right care and
technique, Chenin Blanc has to ability to come in many different forms. This varietal
can be traced back to the mid 9th century in the Anjou region of France. For
many years it remained in this area. But with time, Chenin Blanc was taken out
of France and to other parts of the world.
Chenin
Blanc looks like any other grape that we would see on a vine. It grows in a
tight but large bundle of grapes. It usually grows in a large cone shaped
structure. Its color is a very light, almost yellow in appearance, green.
Usually the grapes grow in the size and shape, but not the texture, of a
marble. The texture of Chenin Blanc does slightly range from location to
location. But Chenin Blanc around does come with a oily texture. This natural
oil is actually really good for the grape. The oil makes the grape very strong
against abuse. This is why Chenin Blanc can be found in many locations around
the world. I like this a lot about Chenin Blanc because it means it is not
going to be expensive to buy a bottle of some of this wine. Also since Chenin
Blanc is so strong there is less of a chance that it can be harmed by some
forms of fungi. Even though bugs will occasionally chew and eat from Chenin
Blanc grapes, there is not a large problem for cultivators to deal with them.
Its resiliency is why it often produced in such large quantities.
Chenin
Blanc is mostly produced in its home area of France. Now it can be found in
locations such as South Africa, California’s Central Valley, Australia, and in
scattered locations in South America. Even though it comes from around the
world, Chenin Blanc has many consistencies in its flavor. This is definitely a
positive aspect of Chenin Blanc because it means that no matter where you in
the world you are most likely to run into the same type of experience.
The
majority of France’s Chenin Blanc tend to be cultivated to create a sweeter and
slightly darker wine. If you were to order a glass of wine of Chenin Blanc in
South Africa, you would most likely experience a strong fruity flavor. South
African Chenin Blanc tends to have the most fruit flavoring, although it most
likely will be a dry tasting wine. While in other locations, especially in
South America, Chenin Blanc tends to be used to create a lighter and dryer
wine. And there is nothing wrong with this ability. It allows the drinker to
choose different experiences from wine while still enjoying the same grape.
Cultivators of Chenin Blanc were able to achieve this by skillfully regulating
the temperature that the grapes are fermented at. A basic way to remember this
is that the cooler the temperature is during fermentation, the dryer the taste
will be when the wine is drank. But it will remain its acidity, one of Chenin
Blanc’s most defining characteristics.
A
fact that I found interesting how Chenin Blanc does not seem to like to fit in
with other grape varietals. For example, compared to other grapes, Chenin Blanc
begins to bud very early in the growing season. And it begins to ripen later in
the season, when most other grapes would be farther in cultivation. Because
Chenin Blanc tends to need a longer amount of time to grow, you are gonna need
to live in an area that has a warmer climate. Warmth does not affect the flavor
too much while it is growing. But the soil that Chenin Blanc is planted in will
change the grapes flavor in wine. Soils with a lot of limestone in them will
cause the grape to be more acidic.
Chenin
Blanc is often grown in large abundance around the world. But in the United
States it is not France actually had to place a limit as to how much can
be grown in one season. But sometimes in other places around the world Chenin
Blanc does not grow too easily. Outside of France, you can find Chenin Blanc
but never in the same amount and quality that you see in France. But there are
a lot of reasons this happened. France does have a great climate for growing
this and other grape varietals. I think it might even be that for some reason
Chenin Blanc just happens to not be some people’s first choice in their wine
selection. I would not object to being offered a glass or two.
Chenin
Blanc does seem like a type of wine that I could see myself drinking any time
of day. I really do like how one day I could have a glass that is light
and dry, while another day I could drink one that it sweeter and a lot more
fruity. I am almost shocked that I had never seen wine made with Chenin Blanc,
because it does sound like the type of grape that could be used to cure a lot
of different people wine cravings. I know for a fact that if I had to make a
decision as to what type of grape to make a type of wine, I would without a
doubt choose Chenin Blanc. If Chenin Blanc can make so many types of wine I
would definitely use it the most because that just seems cost effective to me.
Chenin Blanc is definitely on my list of grape varietals to try next.
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