Chenin Blanc is the world’s most underappreciated grape variety. Today’s video covers three outstanding Chenin Blancs from three different countries; all are reasonably priced, with good availability. Also, a fourth bottle from my cellar: a rare Vouvray that is over twenty-five years old.
Chenin Blanc has been cultivated for over 1,000 years, with origins in the Loire Valley of northern France. Along with France, South Africa is another leader in Chenin Blanc, but it’s also grown in many other countries worldwide. It’s one of a limited number of grape varieties that retain acidity as they ripen, making them a good candidate for everything from completely dry to dessert-style wines, including sparkling wines. Occasionally, it’ll be used in a blend. When it’s grown in the right places and given the proper level of care, it’s a recipe for good things to occur. Let’s get into the tasting. The first three wines were all picked up at Total Wine, but they are available through other retailers.
First up is the 2024 Dry Creek Vineyard Wilson Ranch Chenin Blanc from Clarksburg. For decades, this has been a benchmark example of California Chenin Blanc. It’s priced at $14.99 before any discount.
Next, 2025 Neethlingshof CB from Stellenbosch. South Africa is the world’s largest producer of Chenin Blanc, with Paarl and Stellenbosch being the premier regions. This one is priced at $15.99.
Next up is one of my favorite Chenin Blancs from the Loire Valley, France: 2023 Domaine Pichot. This is classic Vouvray, a benchmark example. It’s priced at $19.99 per bottle.
1999 Domaine Huet Clos de Bourg Vouvray Sec. This is broadly considered one of the greatest sources for Vouvray. Google Translate came in handy with the back label. The ’99 is no longer on the market, but current vintages are typically $50 to $75 per bottle.
#winetasting #californiawine #southafricanwine #frenchwine #loirevalley #winelover #underappreciated #stellenbosch #totalwine #aged #wine #mwlife #masterofwine #bobpaulinski
Chapter markers:
00:00 – 01:47 Chenin Blanc Backstory
01:48 – 03:19 Dry Creek Vineyards Chenin Blanc
03:20 – 05:47 Neethlingshof Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc
05:48 – 08:41 Domaine Pichot Vouvray
08:42 – 14:34 Huet Clos de Bourg Vouvray
14:35 – 15:33 Chenin Blanc Recap
28 Comments
24 bottles in my cellar. Dry, sparkling, sweet, fortified, young and old. South Africa, Oregon, Loire, Mosel, Australia….. in my top 3 favorite white grapes.
I remember when South African Chenin Blancs came to Europe in the 1980s. Since then, it is THE South African grape and a trail blazer for good whites. Good whites were almost impossible to get then because they are much more difficult to make than reds.
I REALLY appreciate Chenin Blanc, Bob. I’ll check these out. And great tip on opening difficult screw caps. I ended up using a jar opener last night and of course it ripped right through the rather thick cap. But, even then I could not lift up the thick cap top. I ended up grabbing a towel to protect my fingers and turning the cap up and half way back. That was one tough cap! I was using the wine in a braising liquid for short ribs so it was not a problem. Next time I’ll know better!
I was joking about a Pinot Grigio and French Columbard blend. Well. I found a bottle. 😂 . In California wine, anything is possible, especially in that magic city, Manteca.
I always have enjoyed Chenin Blanc. Now, could there be a possible Chenin Blanc and French Columbard blend, 😮 in our future.
Look for my new play in French, Madam Vouvray. 😅, la Mariee pompette.
Are you a fan of Chenin Blanc?
We love Chenin Blanc. Especially Vouvray!
Bob, this was terrific. I've always been hesitant about buying Chenin Blanc because I never know what style I'm going to get. Do you drink them on their own, or what kind of food is good with the younger ones? In this lineup , I've known the Dry Creek for years .
Hi Bob! Another great video. Vouvray is the wine that got me interested in wine many years ago. My Dad used to drink red jug wines from the Central Valley, CA, which I never really cared for. One day he picked up some bottles of Vouvray. While he was away at work, I helped myself (I know I'm a bad son lol) to a bottle and was really impressed by the freshness, fruity flavors without being sweet. It was my entry into appreciating fine wines. Thank you for sharing your MW expertise with us wine hobbyists Professor Bob!
Pine Ridge is my go to
Hey Bob! How's it going? I was just at Domaine Huet in July. They served us a 2006 Clos du Bourg Moelleux Premier Trie, which was amazing.
Excellent. You were really enjoying that last wine. Years since I last drunk Vouvray and even longer for Huet. Must rectify that. I tend to go to SA for Chenin these days; Alheit, for example.
Great video. My mouth was watering when you were tasting. Looks like I will be headed to total wine to purchase the chenin blanc you tasted – first 2
Nice video Bob! We were introduced to Chenin Blanc at Huitrerie Regis, a small oyster restaurant in the 6th in Paris. We had the Sagesse des Sols Toucher Terre. It worked perfectly with the oysters from Brittany and Madagascar shrimp.
Bob, Chenin is my newest obsession since trying a Guiberteau Saumur Blanc that a somm at 114 Faubourg in Paris put me onto. Guiberteau, Collier, Belargus, and of course Huet have had me mezmorized.
Thanks for a great vid, Bob. Know little about Chenin, so this helps. It's a cousin of Sauvignon, isn't it? Do these examples taste like Sauvignon at all?
Chenin Blanc is wonderful and a wine I should have more often! Thank you for these examples!!! Will seek them out!!! Always a treat!!! Cheers!!!🥂
Big fan of Domaine Arnaud Lambert’s wines!! Love Saumur region
I love chenin bob! I've been really enjoying some savennieres recently. My local shop has some 2015s that are singing right now, and really punch above their price category.
South Africa and New Zealand are producing really fine examples of Chenin Blanc. I love it; very refreshing when a change from a heavy Chardonnay is called for.
I had a mediocre South African one from the U. S. version of Aldi a few months ago. Nothing special, cheap, not horrible.
Nice tip on stubborn screw caps. I usually use groove-joint pliers on the cap (I keep a pair in the kitchen).
According to my CellarTracker stats: it's my most consumed white wine variety, ahead of Riesling and Chardonnay.
I figured Chenin Blanc would be great because they are Riesling-like in its high acidity, aroma, and versatility with food pairings as well as its ability to be made in different sweetness levels and in sparkling wines. The first one I had was a 2023 Champalou Vouvray, which was very enjoyable–indeed, Riesling-like with a a bit of Sauvignon Blanc-like quality. That motivated me to get a 2023 Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Haut-Lieu, but I guess I'll need to exercise another 7 years of patience for best results! 😛
Beringer in their lowest tier had a Chenin Blanc that was my all purpose inexpensive white wine. I have not seen it in years. Hope it is still out there.
Excellent CB is grown in WA. Sonoma used to grow excellent CB, but it was all pulled out in the early 1990's with the KJ Chardonnay craze. Clarksburg… OK. But it is Vouvray, in the Loire that CB shines. Vouvray whether it is sparkling, dry, off dry is wonderful. An excellent video Bob. Thanks.
I thought that Riesling was the most under-appreciated wine grape. 😏
I started getting into wine in the mid 80's and I remember Chemin Blanc being cheap and sweet. So I avoided it lol, but times sure have changed. I've never tried Dry Creeks C.B. but I need to, when I worked in the industry Dry Creek was one of my main wines in my portfolio. I've had the Neethlingshof Stellenbosch and I enjoyed it. I plan on going to TW and picking up the Dry Creek.
Underrated and underappreciated? Hell yes. How about Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume?
Also, thanks for the tip about how to open screw caps. Before I saw you talk about that a little while back, I had never thought to twist the neck of the cap. 👍
Hah! Nice. I still have a few '99 Clos du Bourg sec. For all the Vouvray fans, head across the river to Montlouis. Le Rocher des Violettes "Touche-Mitaine" is a consistent home run. And just buy Huët, Clos de Bourg, Le Mont and Le Haut-Lieu. Fabulous wines. And then there's Savennières. IMHO, you're always right Bob. But this time you're even more right than usual.