Chenin Blanc and Other Whites

Chenin Blanc is one of the wine world's most versatile grapes: the Loire Valley produces everything from sharp sparkling Crémant de Loire to dry Savennières and legendarily sweet Vouvray Moelleux. The grape has naturally high acidity and aromas of yellow apple, beeswax, quince marmalade and honey. South Africa has taken Chenin Blanc to its heart – the country plants more of it than any other nation. Beyond this, Viognier (apricots and violets, low acidity, Rhône), Grüner Veltliner (white pepper, Austria) and Albariño (citrus, salty minerality, Galicia) deserve mention as distinctive white varieties with clear personalities.