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119-482: It provides a fairly neutral palate for the expression of terroir , vintage variation, and the winemaker 's treatment. In cool areas, the juice is sweet but high in acid with a full-bodied, fruity palate. In the unreliable summers of northern France, the acidity of under-ripened grapes was often masked with chaptalization with unsatisfactory results, whereas now, the less-ripened grapes are made into popular sparkling wines such as Crémant de Loire . The white wines of

238-598: A " workhorse variety", contributing acidity to bulk white blends and showing more neutral flavors rather than terroir . Throughout all its manifestations, Chenin blanc's characteristic acidity is found almost universally in all wine regions. Ampelographers theorize that Chenin blanc originated in the Loire Valley of France sometime in the 9th century. Today, the Loire is the French wine region most closely associated with

357-554: A balance between its acidity and sugar levels. This balance is important in the development of the intensity of the wine's aromas. Winemakers in France pay careful attention to the terroir characteristics of the soil and the different elements that it can impart to the wine. The chalk and Kimmeridgean marl of Sancerre and Pouilly produces wines of richness and complexity while areas with more compact chalk soils produces wines with more finesse and perfume. The gravel soil found near

476-477: A balance of sugars. The flavors characteristic of Sauvignon blanc come from the chemicals methoxypyrazines . Grapes grown in Marlborough's Wairau Valley may exhibit different levels of ripeness over the vineyard, caused by slight unevenness in the land and giving a similar flavor profile to the resulting wine. Sauvignon blanc can be greatly influenced by decisions in the winemaking process. One decision

595-512: A concept of different regions having the potential to produce very different and distinct wines, even from the same grapes. The Ancient Greeks would stamp amphorae with the seal of the region they came from, and different regions established reputations based on the quality of their wines. For centuries, literate and disciplined members of the Benedictine and Cistercian orders cultivated grapes in much of Burgundy . With vast landholdings,

714-516: A day-by-day basis what style and dryness of Chenin blanc they could make, with the grapes harvested during each try going to different styles of wine. For some producers in Vouvray, which may have up to six tries during harvest, the first few could go to sparkling and dry wine production, while the later trie could go towards sweet wine production. While Chenin blanc is planted across the globe from China to New Zealand , Canada , and Argentina , it

833-550: A few isolated plantings remaining. In Australia, the country's 1,500 acres (610 ha) of Chenin blanc are mostly grown as a blending variety often used with Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, and Semillon . Australian Chenin plantings can be found in Tasmania , New South Wales , Victoria , and South Australia , as well as the Swan Valley and Margaret River areas of Western Australia . Wine expert James Halliday describes

952-605: A grower. At that time the variety had a poor reputation in California due to its grassy flavor and aggressive aromas. Mondavi decided to try to tame that aggressiveness with barrel agings and released the wine under the name Fumé Blanc as an allusion to the French Pouilly-Fumé . The usage of the term is primarily a marketing base one with California wine makers choosing whichever name they prefer. Both oaked and unoaked Sauvignon blanc wines have been marketed under

1071-430: A high silex content produce wines with distinctive minerally notes, while limestone -based soils encourage wines with sharp acidity. In Vouvray, the soil is predominantly argilo-calcaire or calcareous clay , which produces rounded wines with both acidity and weight. In areas where schist is plentiful in the soil, Chenin blanc grapes generally ripen earlier than in vineyards with predominantly clay-based soils. Among

1190-409: A higher standard with the "lesser" premier cru . These critics also question the difference between New World and Old World wine and whether modern winemaking techniques – like significant oak influences, over-ripened fruit , cultured yeast, micro-oxygenation, and color pigment additives – obscure or even eliminate the influence of terroir in making different regions unique. Critics often point to

1309-568: A notable example) and Cognac where the chalky soil, climate and distance from the ocean are all factors influencing the product. Producers of single malt whisky , bourbon , rum , and vodka use terroir elements in their production process, including wood flavors derived from barrel aging . The tenet of terroir has also been applied to the production of artisan cheese , and French authorities have fought to balance traditional cheesemakers terroir cheeses concerns with those of major industrialists. The flavor of cheeses (and other dairy products)

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1428-457: A particular vineyard or row of grapevines (like the Grand Cru vineyard of La Grande Rue ). The element of soil relates both to the composition and the intrinsic nature of the vineyard soils , such as fertility, drainage and ability to retain heat. Geomorphology refers to natural landscape features like mountains , valleys and bodies of water , which affect how the climate interacts with

1547-497: A period that could last four to six weeks and include three to six passes through the vineyard. For the production of sweet botrytized wines, pickers look for the grapes that have achieved the necessary amount of the noble rot. In hot and dry years where no noble rot occurs, pickers may leave ripened grapes on the vine long enough to shrivel, or passerillé , where they could later be affected by noble rot. In areas that experience considerable vintage variation, winemakers may decide on

1666-510: A significant drop from the 16,594 hectares (41,000 acres) of grapevines that were in cultivation in 1958. Chenin blanc is an authorized planting in many Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) regions, but is mostly planted in the Middle Loire AOCs of Anjou , Bonnezeaux , Crémant de Loire , Coteaux de l'Aubance , Coteaux du Layon , Jasnières , Montlouis , Quarts de Chaume , Saumur , Savennières , and Vouvray . The wines of

1785-466: A special logo, in addition to the Appellation d'origine protégée (AOP) . The importance of terroir affects the price of the agricultural product as well as the products made from the product. Branding, variety, and farmer identification affects the price of a product. The Slow Food movement appreciates history of a variety of plant or animal, the story of the farmer who produced it, and ultimately

1904-689: A wide spectrum of dry and sweetness levels invites the comparison to German Rieslings , with Robinson noting that in many ways, Chenin blanc is France's answer to the German Riesling. One of the major differences between Old World - and New World -styles of Chenin blanc is the fermentation temperature. Old World-style producers in the Loire tend to ferment their Chenin blanc at higher temperatures, 60-68°F (16-20°C), than New World producers in South Africa and elsewhere, usually fermenting their whites at temperatures around 50-54°F (10-12°C). This

2023-508: A wine region largely dictates whether Chenin blanc is produced in a predominantly sweet or dry manner, while the vineyard soil type generally influences the overall style of the wine. Heavy clay -based soils, paired with the right climate, are favorable to the development of weighty, botrytized dessert wines that need time to age and mature. Well-drained and less organic, predominantly sandy soils tend to produce lighter styles of wine that mature more quickly. Chenin blanc planted in soils with

2142-796: A yellow tint to the wine, and chestnut barrels may add some buttery notes. The aromas and flavor notes of Chenin blanc often include the descriptors of minerally , greengage, angelica and honey . Chenin wines produced from noble rot will often have notes of peaches and honey that develop into barley sugar , marzipan , and quince as they age . Dry or semisweet Chenin blanc from the Loire will often have notes apple, greengage, and chalky minerals that develop into more honey, acacia, and quince aromas. New World styles of Chenin, such as those of South Africa, are more often made to be consume young and exhibit rich tropical fruit notes such as banana , guava , pear , and pineapple . The alcohol level for dessert styles Chenin rarely goes above 12%, which keeps

2261-479: Is International Sauvignon Blanc Day. The Sauvignon blanc grape traces its origins to the Val de Loire region in France according to Jancis Robinson in her book "Wine Grapes". The earliest recording was in 1534 by Francois Rabelais in his book, Gargantua. As noted above, it is not clear that the vine originated in western France. Ongoing research suggests it may have descended from Savagnin. It has also been associated with

2380-462: Is a French term used to describe the environmental factors that affect a crop's phenotype , including unique environment contexts, farming practices and a crop's specific growth habitat. Collectively, these contextual characteristics are said to have a character; terroir also refers to this character. Some artisanal crops and foods for which terroir may apply include wine , cheese , coffee , single malt whisky , onions , and tea . Terroir

2499-411: Is a controversial element since some will advocate that its use is beneficial in bringing out the natural terroir characteristics while others will argue that its use can mask the influences of the terroir. Vineyard management (e.g., growing grapes organically or biodynamically over a more conventional method of farming) can also be seen as a human controlled aspect of terroir. Many decisions during

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2618-616: Is a green-skinned grape variety that originates from the city of Bordeaux in France . The grape most likely gets its name from the French words sauvage ("wild") and blanc ("white") due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France . It is possibly a descendant of Savagnin . Sauvignon blanc is planted in many of the world's wine regions, producing a crisp, dry, and refreshing white varietal wine . The grape

2737-607: Is a plot turning point in the 1976 French comedy L'aile ou la cuisse ( The Wing or the Thigh ) with Louis de Funès . In 2014 Keith Carradine starred in John Charles Jopson 's Edgar Allan Poe -inspired film Terroir . Terroir is frequently referenced in Jeff VanderMeer 's 2014 novel Authority . Sauvignon blanc Sauvignon blanc ( French pronunciation: [soviɲɔ̃ blɑ̃] )

2856-519: Is also a component of the famous dessert wines from Sauternes and Barsac . Sauvignon blanc is widely cultivated in France, Chile , Romania , Canada , Australia , New Zealand , South Africa , Bulgaria , the states of Oregon , Washington , and California in the US. Some New World Sauvignon blancs, particularly from California, may also be called "Fumé Blanc", a marketing term coined by Robert Mondavi in reference to Pouilly-Fumé . Depending on

2975-580: Is also one of the main ingredients in Muffato della Sala , one of Italy's most celebrated sweet wines. Winemakers in New Zealand and Chile harvest the grapes at various intervals for the different blending characteristics that the grape can impart depending on its ripeness levels. At its most unripe stage, the grape is high in malic acid . As it progresses further towards ripeness the grape develops red & green pepper flavors and eventually achieves

3094-749: Is an important component of Crémant de Loire, sparkling Vouvray, and in the Languedoc wine region of Limoux . In Crémant de Limoux, Chenin must account for at least 20% and up to 40% of the blend with Mauzac , Pinot noir and Chardonnay . The grape is also permitted in the still wines of Limoux, but is only blended with Mauzac and Chardonnay. Outside the Loire, in addition to the Languedoc plantings in Limoux, other French plantings of Chenin blanc can be found in Corsica (with 60 hectares (150 acres) planted on

3213-584: Is at its limits for cultivation, with the wines being mostly dry and thin. While most of the Middle Loire experiences a continental climate , the Coteaux du Layon receives more climatic influence from the Atlantic Ocean , which promotes the development of Botrytis cinerea , than in nearby Vouvray or Montlouis. While all three AOCs produce sweet, botrytized wine, less vintage variation is found in

3332-540: Is because Old World wine producers tend not to put a premium on the tropical fruit flavors and aromas that come out more vividly with cooler fermentation temperatures. Chenin blanc can accommodate some skin contact and maceration , which will allow extraction of phenolic compounds that could add to the complexity of the wine. Two of the aromas that skin contact can bring out is the characteristic greengage and angelica notes of Chenin. The grape's characteristic acidity can be softened by malolactic fermentation , which gives

3451-628: Is considered a "major" planting in only a few locations. Though France is the viticultural home of Chenin blanc, by the turn of the 21st century, twice as much Chenin blanc was planted in South Africa as in France. The grape's versatility and ability to reflect terroir causes it to lead, as what Jancis Robinson describes, a " double life ". In the Loire Valley of France, it is prized as a premium quality wine grape able to produce world-class wines, while in many New World wine regions, it used as

3570-549: Is derived from flavor compounds known as methoxypyrazines that becomes more pronounced and concentrated in wines from cooler climate regions. Riper flavors such as passion fruit, along with other notes such as boxwood, may be driven by thiol concentrations. In North America, California is the leading producer of Sauvignon blanc with plantings also found in the Washington state and on the Short Hills Bench of

3689-526: Is grown in the maritime climate of Bordeaux (especially in Entre-Deux-Mers, Graves and Pessac-Léognan as a dry wine, and in Sauternes as a sweet wine) as well as the continental climate of the Loire Valley (as Pouilly Fumé , Sancerre , and Sauvignon de Touraine ). The climates of these areas are particularly favorable in slowing the ripening on the vine, allowing the grape more time to develop

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3808-406: Is impacted by the production location. For instance, Alpine pastures are composed of a larger variety of grasses, herbs, and flowers, than those in the lowlands. At higher elevations, the flora also changes significantly throughout the grazing period (from spring to autumn), thus also impacting the taste of cheeses produced in different batches. In Switzerland, Alp cheese is typically indicated with

3927-419: Is probably the world's most versatile grape, being able to produce quality wines of various sweetness, including dessert wines noted for their aging ability , as well as sparkling made according to the méthode champenoise and fortified wines . The grape can distinguish itself as a single varietal wine, or it can add acidity as a blending component. Its ability to be crafted into premium-quality wines across

4046-532: Is the amount of contact that the must has with the skins of the grape. In the early years of the New Zealand wine industry, there were no wineries in the South Island, which meant that freshly harvested grapes had to be trucked and then ferried to the North Island , often all the way up to Auckland . This allowed for prolonged exposure of the skins and juice which sharpened the intensity and pungency of

4165-404: Is the basis of the French wine appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) system, which is a model for wine appellation and regulation in France and around the world. The AOC system presumes that the land from which the grapes are grown imparts a unique quality that is specific to that growing site (the plants' habitat). The extent of terroir's significance is debated in the wine industry. Over

4284-508: Is the one Loire AOC that produces predominantly dry Chenin blanc. In the south of France, the warm Mediterranean climate of the Languedoc region encourages the production of many more dry styles of Chenin blanc rather than sweet. While most Chenin blanc is produced as a varietal wine, up to 20% of Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc are permitted in wines with the basic Anjou, Saumur, and Touraine designations. The high acidity of Chenin blanc lends itself well to sparkling-wine production, where it

4403-515: Is to plant one Sauvignon Blanc vine at regular intervals among rows of Sémillon . However, Sauvignon blanc's propensity to ripen 1–2 weeks earlier can lead the grapes to lose some of their intensity and aroma as they hang longer on the vine. This has prompted more producers to isolate their parcels of Sauvignon blanc. Near the edge of the Chablis commune is an AOC called Saint-Bris that is gaining attention for its Sauvignon blanc production. In

4522-496: Is usually consumed young and does not particularly benefit from aging , as varietal Sauvignon blancs tend to develop vegetal aromas reminiscent of peas and asparagus with extended aging . Dry and sweet white Bordeaux , including oak-aged examples from Pessac-Léognan and Graves , as well as some Loire wines from Pouilly-Fumé and Sancerre are some of the few examples of Sauvignon blancs with aging potential. The first Friday in May

4641-529: The Anjou AOC are a popular expression of Chenin as a dry wine , with flavors of quince and apples. In nearby Vouvray AOC , vintners aim for an off-dry style, developing honey and floral characteristics with age. In the best vintages, the grapes can be left on the vines to develop noble rot , producing an intense, viscous dessert wine, which may improve considerably with age . French ampelographer Pierre Galet has theorized that Chenin blanc originated in

4760-687: The Anjou wine region sometime in the 9th century, and from there traveled to Touraine by at least the 15th century. The grape may have been the variety described in two royal land grants of Charles the Bald in 845 detailed in the records of the abbey of Glanfeuil as growing on the left bank of the Loire River in vineyards belonging to individuals with the name of Soulangé and Bessé. When Thomas Bohier purchased vineyard land around Chenonceaux on January 3, 1496, several grape varieties were brought in from

4879-587: The Bordeaux wine grape Cabernet Sauvignon which is the offspring of Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Franc . Other DNA research has shown that a crossing of Chenin and the Hunnic grape Gouais blanc produced several varieties including Balzac blanc , Colombard and Meslier-Saint-François . In South Africa, the grape was crossed with the Italian wine grape Trebbiano to produce Weldra and Chenel . Over

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4998-623: The Burgundy wine region of Beaune , the Jura wine region of Arbois and nearby Orléans and Anjou . One of these varieties, a white grape known as Plant d'Anjou , was later planted between 1520 and 1535 at a nearby site known as Mont Chenin in Touraine by the Lord of Château de Chenonceau and his brother-in-law, Denis Briçonnet, the abbot of Cormery . Ampelographers believe that Plant d'Anjou

5117-591: The Mendoza wine region, while Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay had 74 acres (30 ha), 188 acres (76 ha), and 17 acres (6.9 ha) of grapevines planted, respectively. The grape was exported to Israel in the 20th century, where it is still found in limited quantities. Canada has Chenin blanc planted in the Okanagan wine region of British Columbia and in Ontario . Some plantings of Chenin blanc can be found in

5236-694: The Niagara Peninsula and Okanagan Valley in Canada. Sauvignon Blanc is also grown in small regions in Ohio along Lake Erie and the Ohio River. In California wine produced from the Sauvignon blanc grape is also known as Fumé Blanc. This California wine was first made by Napa Valley 's Robert Mondavi Winery in 1968. Mondavi had been offered a crop of particularly good Sauvignon blanc grapes by

5355-435: The North Island , some examples of New Zealand Chenin blanc have drawn favorable comparisons to the sweet dessert styles of Chenin from the Loire Valley. Historically, the grape has been used as a blending partner with Müller-Thurgau in mass-produced blends. The success of some critically acclaimed New Zealand Chenin blancs has sparked interest in planting the variety. As experts such as Oz Clarke have noted, though, as long as

5474-677: The Sauternes vineyards of Château d'Yquem . The plantings produced well in Livermore Valley . Eventually, the wine acquired the alias of Fumé Blanc in California by promotion of Robert Mondavi in 1968. The grape was first introduced to New Zealand in the 1970s as an experimental planting to be blended with Müller-Thurgau . The Sauvignon blanc vine often buds late but ripens early, which allows it to perform well in sunny climates when not exposed to overwhelming heat. In warm regions such as South Africa , Australia and California ,

5593-661: The Spanish wine regions , mainly in Catalonia . In 2015, 112 hectares (280 acres) of the grape were planted, but this number may rise as DNA analysis in 2006 discovered the Agudelo grape variety growing in the Galicia , Alella , and Penedès wine region is actually Chenin blanc. The tropical wine regions of India and Thailand also has some limited plantings of the grape. Wine expert Jancis Robinson has noted that Chenin blanc

5712-547: The United States there is some confusion over the use of semi-generic names like Champagne and Port but there has been more effort by the American wine industry to recognize the unique association of place names with the wines produced in those places, such as the 2005 Napa Declaration on Place agreement. While appellation systems and the protected designations of origin can be a way of protecting "unique terroir",

5831-568: The United States Federal Trade Commission . In some East Asian countries, terms like terroir or marriage have been popularised by Japanese manga . A 2008–09 Korean drama , most of whose leading characters work with wine, is titled Terroir after the main setting, a wine restaurant in turn named for the concept. The concept of terroir has been discussed in several films and television shows. Jonathan Nossiter 's 2004 documentary, Mondovino , explores

5950-537: The climate , the flavor can range from aggressively grassy to sweetly tropical. In cooler climates, the grape has a tendency to produce wines with noticeable acidity and "green flavors" of grass, green bell peppers and nettles with some tropical fruit (such as passion fruit ) and floral (such as elderflower ) notes. In warmer climates, it can develop more tropical fruit notes but risks losing much aroma from over-ripeness , leaving only slight grapefruit and tree fruit (such as peach ) notes. Wine experts have used

6069-472: The growing and winemaking process can either lessen or increase the expression of terroir in the wine. These include decisions about pruning , irrigation and selecting time of harvest . At the winery, the use of oak , cultured or ambient yeast, length of maceration and time in contact with lees , temperature during fermentation , and processes like micro-oxygenation , chaptalization , clarification with fining agents , and reverse osmosis all have

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6188-477: The growing season and ripens midway to late in the harvest year. However, in warm years, the balance between the Loire's marginal climate and the warmth needed to attain full ripeness has the potential of producing wines with some depth of complexity and finesse. The age of the vine can have an influence on wine quality, with older vines producing naturally lower yields. When infected by noble rot , which also lowers yields and adds and intensifies certain flavors,

6307-405: The viticultural hazards to which Chenin is susceptible (apart from botrytis in less than ideal conditions) are damage from spring frost, powdery mildew , and fungal disease (such as dead arm of grapevine ) that affect the wood structures of the grape vine. Some of these hazards can be managed with integrated pest management and rootstock selection. While true for most wine grape varieties ,

6426-523: The 1990s, Sauvignon blanc wines from the maritime climatic regions of New Zealand , particularly the South Island , became popular on the wine market. In the Marlborough wine region , sandy soils over slate shingles have become the most desirable locations for plantings due to the good drainage of the soil and poor fertility that encourages the vine to concentrate its flavors in lower yields. In

6545-490: The 19th century, these interspersed cuttings were transported to Chile where the field blends are still common today. Despite the similarity in names, Sauvignon blanc has no known relation to the Sauvignon rosé mutation found in the Loire Valley of France . The first cuttings of Sauvignon blanc were brought to California by Charles Wetmore , founder of Cresta Blanca Winery , in the 1880s. These cuttings came from

6664-963: The Bordeaux region to experiment on a trial basis with four red and two white vine types selected from other areas of France. The new types can make up no more than 10% of the final wine blend. The rest must be from the six red and eight white grape varieties traditionally cultivated in the region during its 2,000 year history. Another approach to protecting plants against the effects of climate change involves experimenting with rootstocks to develop plants that are resilient, vigorous and use water more efficiently under stressful conditions. Differences in planting, irrigation and harvesting practices are also being studied. Practices developed in warmer climates like Australia, Israel, South America, and Spain are being adapted for use in countries that used to be cooler, as temperatures rise. The concept of terroir exists in other drinks, notably in tea ( Wuyi rock-essence tea being

6783-937: The California AVAs of Clarksburg, Napa Valley , and Mendocino , the Washington wine regions of the Yakima and Columbia Valley , and the Texas High Plains AVA . In 2012, Washington had 200 acres (81 ha) of Chenin while Texas was growing 300 acres (120 ha). Other states in the United States with plantings of Chenin blanc include New York , Missouri , Wisconsin , Minnesota , Arizona , New Mexico , Maryland , North Carolina , Virginia , Idaho , Colorado and Texas . In 1990, 44 acres (18 ha) of Chenin blanc were planted in Oregon, but by 2001, virtually all of it had been uprooted with only

6902-556: The Carmenere family. At some point in the 18th century, the vine paired with Cabernet Franc to parent the Cabernet Sauvignon vine in Bordeaux. In the 19th century, plantings in Bordeaux were often interspersed with Sauvignon vert (In Chile, known as Sauvignonasse ) as well as the Sauvignon blanc pink mutation Sauvignon gris . Prior to the phylloxera epidemic, the insect plague which devastated French vineyards in

7021-479: The Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux, and Quarts de Chaume are produced as sweet dessert wines, while Savennières produce predominantly dry wines. The wines of Anjou, Crémant de Loire, Coteaux de l'Aubance, Jasnières, Montlouis, Saumur, and Vouvray have a wide range of sweetness levels, from dry to semi-sweet to sweet. In the 1970s, plantings of Chenin blanc in the Loire were uprooted in favor of the more fashionable red Cabernet Franc and white Sauvignon blanc , as well as

7140-517: The Coteaux du Layon. The cool continental influence in Montlouis and Vouvray lends itself to producing a wide range of Chenin blanc, including grapes with the necessary balance of acidity to sugar needed to produce sparkling wine. In the AOC of Savennières, less fog and mist from the nearby rivers occur and more wind that makes botrytis taking root more difficult. This is part of the reason why Savennières

7259-526: The French AOC systems, have developed around the concepts of "unique wines from a unique area". These systems have also developed into protected designation of origin across the European Union so that, for example, winemakers from outside a region like Tuscany can not produce a Sangiovese wine and call it a Chianti . While the wine may be made from the same clonal variety of Sangiovese, in

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7378-456: The Jura wine grape Savagnin . Additional DNA evidence shows that Chenin blanc shares a sibling relationship with Trousseau and Sauvignon blanc (both grapes the likely offspring of Savagnin), which strongly suggests that Chenin blanc is the offspring and Savagnin is the parent variety. Through Chenin's half-sibling relationship with Sauvignon blanc, the grape is related as an aunt/uncle variety to

7497-524: The Loire Valley. Plantings in California, Australia, Chile and South Africa are also extensive, and Sauvignon blanc is steadily increasing in popularity as white wine drinkers seek alternatives to Chardonnay . The grape can also be found in Italy and Central Europe . In Australia, particularly the Margaret River region, the grape is often blended with Sémillon . Varietal styles, made from only

7616-422: The Loire as another source. The 1990s brought a string of successful vintages to the Middle Loire that produced many highly rated Chenin wines affected by noble rot. As wine expert Oz Clarke noted, these wines became the " standard-bearer " for Chenin blanc. The climate of the wine region tends to dictate what style of Chenin blanc is most prevalent in the area. In the northernmost reaches of Jasnières, Chenin blanc

7735-472: The Sauvignon blanc grape, from Adelaide Hills and Padthaway have a style distinctive from their New Zealand neighbors that tend to be more ripe in flavor with white peach and lime notes and slightly higher acidity. In the early 1990s, ampelographers began to distinguish Sauvignon blanc from Sauvignonasse plantings in Chile. The character of non-blended Chilean Sauvignon blanc are noticeably less acidic than

7854-438: The centuries, French winemakers developed the concept of terroir by observing the differences in wines from different regions, vineyards, or even different sections of the same vineyard. The French began to crystallize the concept of terroir as a way of describing the unique aspects of a place that influence and shape the wine made from it. Long before the French, the wine-making regions of the ancient world had already developed

7973-523: The commercial importance of terroir has been a much debated topic in the wine industry. In Spain in 2018, networks of vintners joined in a grassroots movement to produce wines with added terroir value with intention to enhance the Spanish rural wine culture. As climate change disrupts long-established patterns of temperature and precipitation in wine-growing regions and causes more extreme weather events, there are potential serious impacts on terroir and

8092-486: The common conception of terroir as a myth. While Matthews agrees local characteristics can have an effect on plant growth and the wines made from particular grapes, he points out that the term is imprecisely defined, and also proposes the concept of terroir is accepted primarily based on traditional belief , and is not backed by rigorous data or research. The definition of terroir can be expanded to include elements that are controlled or influenced by humans. This can include

8211-449: The control of humans. Components often described as aspects of terroir include: The interaction of climate and terroir is generally broken down from the macroclimate of a larger area (For example, the Côte de Nuits region of Burgundy ), down to the mesoclimate of a smaller subsection of that region (such as the village of Vosne-Romanée ) and even to the individual microclimate of

8330-422: The decision of which grape variety to plant, though whether or not that grape variety will produce quality wine is an innate element of terroir that may be beyond human influence. Some grape varieties thrive better in certain areas than in others. The winemaking decision of using wild or ambient yeast in fermentation instead of cultured or laboratory produced yeast can be a reflection of terroir. The use of oak

8449-526: The easier-to-grow Gamay . This consolidated Chenin's presence to the Middle Loire region around Anjou-Saumur and Touraine. In the 1980s, interest in the sweet dessert wines of the Loire renewed enthusiasm for Chenin blanc in the region. During this time, the Bordeaux wine region of Sauternes had experienced a series of favorable vintages that gave a dramatic increase in prices as supply began to dwindle in face of high demand. Wine consumers who had developed an appreciation for these sweet wines began to look to

8568-403: The flavors and intensity that distinguish New Zealand Sauvignon blancs. More recently, Waipara in the South Island and Gisborne and Hawkes Bay in the North Island have been attracting attention for their Sauvignon blanc releases, which often exhibit subtle differences to those from Marlborough. The asparagus, gooseberry and green flavor commonly associated with New Zealand Sauvignon blanc

8687-469: The flood plain of the Wairau River Valley, the soil runs in east-west bands across the area. This can create a wide diversity of flavors for vineyards that are planted north-south with the heavier soils producing more herbaceous wines from grapes that ripen late and vines planted in stonier soils ripening earlier and imparting more lush and tropical flavors. It is this difference in soils, and

8806-409: The globalization of the wine business, and features interviews with a number of small producers, mostly French, who talk about terroir. In the 2006 BBC series, Oz and James's Big Wine Adventure , one episode is almost entirely devoted to Oz Clarke teaching James May about terroir. At the end of the episode, May identifies three wines successfully, placing them in the correct order on the basis of

8925-417: The goal is to make good wine rather than terroir-driven wine. The importance of these influences depends on the culture of a particular wine region. In France, particularly Burgundy, there is the belief that the role of a winemaker is to bring out the expression of a wine's terroir. The French word for "winemaker," vigneron , is more aptly translated as "wine-grower" rather than "winemaker". The belief that

9044-475: The grape flourishes in cooler climate appellations such as the Alexander Valley area. In areas where the vine is subjected to high heat, the grape will quickly become over-ripe and produce wines with dull flavors and flat acidity. Rising global temperatures have caused farmers to harvest the grapes earlier than they have in the past. The grape originated in France, in the regions of Bordeaux and

9163-591: The grape is harvested at high yields, such as the California Central Valley average of 10 tons per acre (175 hl/ha), Chenin's flavors become more bland and neutral. The vine is naturally vigorous and prone to overcropping if not kept in check. In fertile soils, as in parts of South Africa, Chenin blanc can easily produce yields of 240 hl/ha. To keep yields in check, vineyard managers may choose to graft Chenin vines with less vigorous rootstock from Vitis riparia or Vitis rupestris vines. During

9282-646: The grape were planted, nearly twice the amount of Chenin blanc planted in France. Most of the plantings are found in the Western Cape wine region of Paarl in the Cape Winelands District Municipality , with 3,326 hectares (8,220 acres) with the Swartland region of Malmesbury and Olifants River not far behind with 3,317 hectares (8,200 acres) and 2,521 hectares (6,230 acres), respectively, in cultivation in 2008. The variety

9401-450: The grape. Some winemakers, like those in New Zealand and Sancerre, prefer stainless steel fermentation tanks over barrels with the intention of maintaining the sharp focus and flavor intensity. Sauvignon blanc can be combined with a variety of dishes as it is an easy approachable wine. If we are looking for light meat, it can be suitable for chicken or turkey. Sauvignon blanc is also excellent for seafood such as lobster, squid, and so on. It

9520-513: The growing season, they may also elect to do a green harvest where excess grape clusters are removed. With optimal ripeness and balance between acidity and sugars being such a viticultural priority for Chenin blanc, many growers (such as those in the Loire Valley) harvest the grapes in "tries" or successive pickings through the vineyards. During each series of picking, only the ripest clusters or individual grapes are harvested by hand during

9639-429: The homogenizing effect on mass-produced wines made from popular varietals like Chardonnay , which may have their terroir characteristics hidden by invasive and intensive winemaking. A heavily oaked, over-ripe Chardonnay from California can taste very similar to the same style of wine from elsewhere. The marketability of wines from different regions and producers is affected by the importance accorded to terroir, both by

9758-451: The hot Central Valley . In 2010, this level was down to 7,223 acres (2,923 ha). For most of its history in the California wine industry , the grape was considered a "workhorse variety" that could be used anonymously in bulk and jug wine blends. Chenin's natural acidity and ability to adapt to wines of varying degrees of sweetness made it an ideal blending partner with Colombard and Chardonnay in mass-produced blends. Until close to

9877-602: The island in 2008), Charentes , and the Aveyron department . In South West France , it is permitted to be used in the white wines of the Côtes de Duras and the Garonne wines of Vins d'Estaing and Vins d'Entraygues et du Fel . In South Africa, Chenin blanc is the most widely planted variety, accounting for nearly one-fifth (18.6%) of all vineyard plantings in the early 21st century. In 2008, 18,852 hectares (46,580 acres) of

9996-474: The locals believed imparted a smoky, gunflint flavor to the wine, and hence Fumé , the French word for "smoky", was attached to the wine. Along with Sémillon, Muscadelle and Ugni blanc , Sauvignon blanc is one of only four white grapes allowed in the production of white Bordeaux wine . Mostly used as a blending grape, Sauvignon blanc is the principal grape in Château Margaux 's Pavillon Blanc , In

10115-424: The mineral flavors in the wine while New World winemakers prefer slightly cooler temperatures to bring out more fruit and tropical flavors. A small minority of Loire winemakers will put the wine through malolactic fermentation , a practice more often associated with New Zealand wines. Oak aging can have a pronounced effect on the wine, with the oak rounding out the flavors and softening the naturally high acidity of

10234-413: The monks could conduct large-scale observation of the influences that various parcels of land had on the wine it produced. Some legends have the monks establishing the boundaries of different terroirs – many of which still exist today as the Grand Cru vineyards of Burgundy. While wine experts disagree about the exact definition, particular consideration is given to the natural elements that are beyond

10353-418: The name Fumé Blanc. California Sauvignon blancs tend to fall into two styles. The New Zealand-influenced Sauvignon blanc have more grassy undertones with citrus and passion fruit notes. The Mondavi-influenced Fumé Blanc are more round with melon notes. Sauvignon blanc is also beginning to gain prominence in areas like South Africa 's Stellenbosch and Durbanville and Italy 's Collio Goriziano areas. It

10472-492: The northern Rhône Valley, Sauvignon Blanc is often blended with Tressallier to form a tart white wine. In the Sauternes region, the grape is blended with Sémillon to make the late harvest wine , Sauternes . The composition of Sauvignon blanc varies from producer and can range from 5-50% with the Premier Cru Supérieur Château d'Yquem using 20%. A traditional practice often employed in Sauternes

10591-478: The phrase "crisp, elegant, and fresh" as a favorable description of Sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley and New Zealand. Sauvignon blanc, when slightly chilled, pairs well with fish or cheese , particularly chèvre . It is also known as one of the few wines that can pair well with sushi . Along with Riesling , Sauvignon blanc was one of the first fine wines to be bottled with a screwcap in commercial quantities, especially by New Zealand producers. The wine

10710-450: The potential to either reduce or emphasize some aspect derived from the terroir. Winemakers can work between the extremes of producing wine that is terroir-driven and focused on purely expressing the unique aspects of a region's terroir, or winemaking that is done without any consideration given to terroir. Furthermore, aspects of terroir such as climate and soil type may be considered when deciding such things as which grape variety to plant if

10829-587: The quality of Chenin blanc wine is intimately connected to the care taken in the vineyard. If the grapes are harvested too soon, before they ripen, the high acidity results in wine being (according to wine expert Oz Clarke ) "one of the nastiest wines possible". If the grapes are harvested at too high of a yield , the grapes do not retain any of Chenin blanc's distinctive character notes. In the Loire, French regulations mandate that yields be kept low (40-50 hl/ha). At these levels, more of Chenin blanc's varietal characteristics of floral, honeyed aromas are exhibited. When

10948-554: The quality of terroir they come from. Les Blank and Gina Leibrecht's 2007 documentary, All In This Tea , explores the importance of terroir and organic growing methods for the quality and future sustainability of the Chinese tea market. Terroir is also a frequent topic of discussion in the Japanese wine comic Les Gouttes de Dieu . The films French Kiss and A Good Year also make references to terroir. Terroir recognition

11067-477: The quality of the product. Chefs and bakers develop their own list of qualities they desire for their creations, and terroir affects these. Wine critics question the value of a Pinot noir wine from a Burgundy Grand Cru vineyard relative to a wine produced from the "lesser terroir" of a Premier Cru vineyard, and whether it merits the higher price. These doubts also arise when the quality of winemaking and other human influences are taken into account, which may be of

11186-479: The region, and includes the elements of aspect and elevation of the vineyard location. Other organisms growing in, on, and around the vine plots refers to the region specific fauna , flora , and microflora present in the vineyards. The microbial populations in vineyards have been described as being a quantifiable aspect of the overall terroir . Mark A. Matthews, a professor of viticulture and plant physiology at University of California, Davis , has described

11305-423: The river Loire and its tributaries impart spicy, floral and mineral flavors while in Bordeaux, the wines have a fruitier personality. Vines planted in flint tend to produce the most vigorous and longest lasting wines. Pouilly Fumé originate from the town of Pouilly-sur-Loire , located directly across the Loire River from the commune of Sancerre . The soil here is very flinty with deposits of limestone , which

11424-512: The same soil composition as found in the Chianti region with winemakers using the Tuscan method of production, there is an assumption that the two wines will be different due to terroir. The names of these European wine regions are protected so that wines from different regions and different terroir are not confused with wines from that those regions – i.e. a Spanish or Australian "chianti". In

11543-428: The sound of the pretty small pipe, scoffing and laughing at those vainglorious cake-bakers, who had that day met with a mischief for want of crossing themselves with a good hand in the morning. Nor did they forget to apply to Forgier's leg some fat chenin grapes , and so handsomely dressed it and bound it up that he was quickly cured. From France, the grape spread to South Africa , where it was most likely included among

11662-568: The style of Australia Chenin blanc as "tutti-frutti" with pronounced fruit salad notes. However, the wines produced in Western Australia have garnered more critical attention. In 2008, there were 1,586 acres (642 ha) of Chenin blanc in cultivation in Australia. In New Zealand, acreage of the variety fell to just under 250 acres (100 ha) by 2004. By 2008, that number had dropped to 124 acres (50 ha). Planted primarily on

11781-727: The terroir is the dominant influence in the wine is the basis behind French wine labels emphasizing the region, vineyard, or AOC more prominently than the varietal of grape, and often more prominently than the producer. The influence of terroir means that wines from a particular region are unique, incapable of being reproduced outside that area, even if the grape variety and winemaking techniques are painstakingly duplicated. Winemakers in Burgundy do not believe that they are producing Pinot noir that happens to be grown in Burgundy, but that they are producing unique Burgundian wines that happen to be made from Pinot noir. Appellation systems, such as

11900-556: The turn 21st century, producers in Sacramento Valley 's Clarksburg AVA had not started to make quality varietal Chenin blancs a specialty; Chenin blancs from these producers tend to show a characteristic musky melon aroma and have the potential to age well. While Chenin blanc is grown throughout the United States, the American Viticultural Areas with the most significant amount of plantings include

12019-430: The types of harvest time decisions that wine producers must make, that add a unique element to New Zealand Sauvignon blanc. The long narrow geography of the South Island ensures that no vineyard is more than 80 miles (130 km) from the coast. The cool, maritime climate of the area allows for a long and steady growing season in which the grapes can ripen and develop a natural balance of acids and sugars. This brings out

12138-442: The value of New Zealand Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc stays high, little economic reason exists to pursue premium Chenin blanc production. Chenin blanc is found planted throughout South America, though for many years plantings Argentina , Brazil , and Uruguay were confused for Pinot blanc . The grape was used primarily in mass-produced white blends. In 2008, Argentina had 7,186 acres (2,908 ha) of Chenin blanc, most of it in

12257-592: The variety. In 2008, 9,828 hectares (24,290 acres) of Chenin were planted in France, mostly in the Indre-et-Loire , Loir-et-Cher , and Maine-et-Loire departments with the Anjou region around the city of Angers in the Maine-et-Loire having the most significant plantings with 5,044 hectares (12,460 acres) in 2008. While Chenin blanc still accounts for around 1.2% of all French plantings, these numbers are

12376-603: The vine cuttings sent to Jan van Riebeeck in the Cape Colony by the Dutch East India Company . In the 20th century, a subvariety of Chenin planted in the Loire was found to be not actually Chenin blanc at all, but rather the Portuguese grape Verdelho , which is banned from French AOC regulations in the Loire. In 1999, DNA analysis showed that Chenin blanc has a parent-offspring relationship with

12495-481: The wine break down, they add complexity and depth to the wine. Some off-dry or "demi-sec" examples may need at least 10 years before they start drinking at peak levels and could continue to develop for another 20 to 30 years. Sparkling and dry examples of Chenin blanc from premium production and favorable vintages have also shown longevity levels not commonly associated with white wine. However, as they age, Chenin blanc wines are prone to going through " dumb phases " where

12614-466: The wine a creamier or "fattier" texture, as would a period spent aging on the lees . The use of wood or oak aging is up to each individual producer. Old World producers tend to shy away from the use of new oak barrels, which can impart flavors of vanilla , spice , and toasted notes, though these notes may be desirable for a New World producer. In Savennières , a tradition remains of using acacia and chestnut barrels for aging, though acacia can impart

12733-530: The wine closes up, revealing little aroma and varietal characteristics. Chenin blanc can be a very versatile player in food and wine pairings , but the wide range of wine styles needs to be taken into account. Lighter, dry styles can pair well with light dishes such as salads , fish , and chicken . The sweeter styles of Chenin blanc can balance the spicy heat of some Asian and Hispanic cuisines . The acidity and balance of medium-dry styles can pair well with cream sauces and rich dishes such as pâté . Over

12852-496: The wine industry and consumer wine markets, with some producers downplaying terroir and its effect on their wines. In the United States, the principles of terroir have been applied in a few limited instances, such as Vidalia onions , whose production area has been defined by the United States Department of Agriculture and Indian River fruit , which can only carry that label if grown within an area defined by

12971-485: The wine industry. Hotter temperatures and an earlier growing season can push berries towards a higher sugar content, less acids and differences in secondary compounds that are important for aromas. Growers are attempting to adapt in a variety of ways in response. In 2021, in a controversial move, the French National Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment formally authorized wine producers in

13090-446: The wine. Some winemakers, like the Loire, intentionally leave a small amount of must to spend some time in contact with the skin for later blending purposes. Other winemakers, like in California, generally avoid any contact with the skin due to the reduced aging ability of the resulting wine. Another important decision is the temperature of fermentation . French winemakers prefer warmer fermentations (around 16–18 °C) that bring out

13209-573: The wines develop less overtly floral aroma notes, but more depth and layers. New clonal varieties have been developed that delay budding and increase sugar development during the ripening phase. Six of these new clones have been officially sanctioned by the French government. The vine is semi-upright in habit with three- to five-lobed leaves. It tends to break bud early, with conical, winged bunches containing yellow-green grapes that ripen late. The berries are typically 16.0 mm long x 14.2 mm wide, with an average weight of 1.79 g. The climate of

13328-418: The wines more in balance. Drier styles of Chenin are more likely to be around 13.5%. The aging ability of sweet Loire Chenin blanc is among the longest-lived in the world of wine, with well-made examples from favorable vintages regularly having the potential to last for at least 100 years. This longevity is attributed to the grape's naturally high acidity, which acts as a preservative. As phenolic compounds in

13447-454: The wines of New Zealand and more similar to the French style that is typical of Chilean wines . The region of Valparaíso is the most notable area for Sauvignon blanc in Chile due to its cooler climate which allows the grapes to be picked up to six weeks later than in other parts of Chile. In Brazil, ampelographers have discovered that the vines called Sauvignon blanc planted in the region are really Seyval blanc . In France , Sauvignon blanc

13566-466: The years, Chenin blanc has also been frequently confused with other grape varieties with which it does not seem to have a close genetic relationship. This includes the Portuguese wine grape Verdelho grown on the island of Madeira Machupiclait and in the Azores , as well as the Spanish wine grape Albillo , which was confused for Chenin blanc in Australia. The Chenin blanc grapevine buds early in

13685-1329: The years, Chenin blanc has been known under a variety of synonyms, including Agudelo (in Spain), Agudillo (Spain), Anjou, Blanc d'Aunis, Blanc d’Anjou, Capbreton blanc ( Landes , France), Confort, Coue Fort, Cruchinet, Cugnette, Feher Chenin, Franc blanc ( Aveyron , France), Franche, Gamet blanc (Aveyron, France), Gros Chenin (in Maine-et-Loire and Indre-et-Loire), Gros Pineau (in Touraine), Gros Pinot Blanc de la Loire, Gout Fort, Luarskoe, Pineau d'Anjou (in Mayenne ), Pineau de Briollay, Pineau de la Loire (in Indre-et-Loire), Pineau de Savennières, Pineau Gros, Pineau Gros de Vouvray, Pineau Nantais, Plant d’Anjou (in Indre-et-Loire), Plant de Brézé, Plant de Salces, Plant de Salles, Plant du Clair de Lune, Quefort, Rajoulin, Ronchalin, Rouchelein, Rouchelin (in Gironde and Périgord ), Rouchalin, Rougelin, Steen (South Africa), Stein, Tête de Crabe, Vaalblaar Stein and Verdurant. Terroir Terroir ( / t ɛ r ˈ w ɑːr / ; French: [tɛʁwaʁ] ; from terre , lit.   ' lands ' )

13804-401: Was like Chenin blanc, with the grape eventually taking on the name from Mont Chenin. French writer François Rabelais (1494–1553) wrote glowingly about the white wines of Anjou, and mentions the medicinal qualities of the grapes at the end of chapter XXV of Gargantua : This done, the shepherds and shepherdesses made merry with these cakes and fine grapes, and sported themselves together at

13923-487: Was most likely introduced to the country in the collection of cuttings sent to Jan van Riebeeck by the Dutch East India Company. For the next two hundred years of South African wine history , the variety was known as Steen. Ampelographers were not able to concretely identify the numerous plantings of Steen around the country as being Chenin blanc until 1965. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Chenin blanc

14042-622: Was the principal grape in the South African wine industry's "white wine renaissance " that was ushered in by the introduction of new technologies such as temperature-controlled fermentation vessels. During this time, the focus was on producing off-dry, clean, and crisp wine that was mostly neutral in flavor and could capitalize on the wine market's demand for white wine. Near the end of the 20th century, several Chenin blanc specialist producers emerged and worked with vineyard managers to isolate older Chenin vines on suitable terroir . Their goal

14161-493: Was to produce wines that exhibited Chenin's unique aromas and traits. While plantings of Chenin blanc have decreased, the work of these producers resulted in improved quality profiles of South African Chenin blanc. During the 1980s, the California wine industry had more acreage of Chenin blanc planted than France, though the plantings later steadily declined. By 2006, 13,000 acres (5,300 ha) were planted there, mostly in

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