Chenin Blanc
French white-wine grape that is the basis for many superior wines coming out of France's
Loire region. Chenin Blanc is widely grown outside of France in
South Africa and California and is planted to a lesser extent in
Chile,
Australia, and
New Zealand. Wines from cooler regions can be well balanced with delicate, floral characteristics and hints of melon. Because of the grape's high acid content, Chenin Blanc wines outside of France are often combined with other wines to cut Chenin Blanc's sharpness and enliven the final blend.