What goes well with a chenin blanc?
Chenin Blanc is a fabulous food pairing wine — with its sky-high acidity, it brings unparalleled energy to the table! It’s going to pair really well with creamy chicken or pork dishes, meatier flaky fish and rich seafood (especially white crabmeat and lobster!).
Which styles is chenin blanc known for?
Chenin Blanc makes lithe, dry summer whites and sparkling wines. It also offers oak-aged styles with similar flavors to Chardonnay. Thus, there really is a Chenin Blanc wine for every occasion.
What to pair with Chenin blanc?
Medium bodied smooth or old vine Chenin Blanc (made more in the style of an unoaked Chardonnay or a Pinot Blanc) will work with many of the dishes above but also: Mild cheeses like Caerphilly and white-rinded cheeses like Brie so long as they’re not too ripe. Richer, fuller styles more similar to an oaked chardonnay or Viognier:
Is SEC Chenin blanc dry or fruity?
Chenin Blanc that is dry and fruity is made in South Africa, California, Australia, and of course bottles of Vouvray labeled sec. Chenin Blanc is known as Steen in South Africa. These wines will be very fruity and floral. While the acidity is still high, these dry still styles are delicate and make a better match with foods that are as well.
What makes Chenin blanc from Vouvray special?
Chenin Blanc from Vouvray expresses itself gorgeously with a bit or a lot of sweetness. The mineral component and high acidity balance out the residual sugar. Grapes in Vouvray can experience Noble Rot, which dehydrates the grapes and leaves behind the sugars.
Where to find Chenin blanc in France?
For demi-sec of sweet styles of sparkling Chenin Blanc, look to the Loire Valley, or specifically to Vouvray. Sparkling wine from the Loire Valley is called Cremant d’Loire and is dominantly made of Chenin Blanc, though if it is from grapes grown exclusively in Vouvray it will be labeled as such.