You won’t know if it’s sweet or dry, unless the bottle tells you (or of course, you could taste).  It could also be still (no bubbles) or sparkling!  That’s the tricky thing about the Chenin Blanc (shenin blawnk).  Depending on when the winemaker stops the sugar fermentation, there could be a little Residual Sugar (RS) or a lot…which means the wine could be imperceptibly sweet (an RS of around 0.8%) to around 8 or 9% (like a Moscato) or up to 24% (dessert wines like Sauternes). So if it can run the gamut, how do you know what you’re getting?  I recommend you try a few, and be open to the surprise. Some may actually list it on the back of the bottle (like I’ve seen with some Rieslings), but the three I picked up were a total gamble. If you get a sparkling, it should tell you if it’s brut (meaning dry), Sec (slightly sweet), or Doux (sweet), so these will be less of a mystery.

What else can you expect from the highly variable Chenin Blanc? Lots of acid in all 3 that I tasted; however the acid was well balanced by the sweetness.  In two of the three examples, the acid and citrus reminded me of Sauvingon Blanc, but the honeyed, almond taste at the end of each sip really rounds it out. All three today are from Trader Joe’s.

My first wine was a Vouvray (region in France known for it’s Chenin Blancs). Vouvray is in the Loire Valley (about an hour Southwest of Paris), an area known for it’s chateaux and WINE!  It is very close to Chinon, an area that specializes in one of my favorite varieties, Cabernet Franc. But that’s a different grape for a different day.  It was probably a great specimen, if you like sweeter wines, so my 3 stars MAY be a little low for those who prefer that style. Colder regions will produce even higher acidity, making it great for sparkling.  I remember from my past that Chenin Blanc loves a stinky cheese, but due to the acid, it’s a great food wine all around.

• Wine: Vignobles Lachateau Vouvray 2017 Loire Valley
• Look: Clear, Pale, Lemon
• Smell: Clean, High intensity, Lime, Grapefruit, Peach, Honeysuckle, Stone, Almond
• Taste: Semi sweet, High Acid, No tannin, Medium body, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Nutmeg
• Notes: High alcohol (in taste, is actually 11.5%), Long finish, Good, Ready to drink, Balanced

Next was a South African example, this time a blend of 89% Chenin Blanc and 11% Viognier. There is more Chenin Blanc planted in South Africa than in it’s native France.  But the South African is my preference so far! And at $4.99 (what the WHAT) it is a steal.  3 stars!!!

• Wine: Mbali Western Cape South Africa Chenin Blanc/Viognier 2018
• Look: Brilliant, Pale, Lemon Green
• Smell: Clean, Medium intensity, Pear, Grass, Stone, Almond
• Taste: Dry, High acidity, No tannin, Medium body, Grapefruit, Grass, Almond, Honey
• Notes: High Alcohol (13%, so actually not that high), Long finish, Good, Ready to drink, Balanced

Last up is California. Also a blend of Chenin Blanc (83%) and Viognier (17%), this one was a nice porch sipper for a bizarrely 78 degree February day (hmmm, yeah, global warming can’t be real). At $7.99, another steal and another 3 stars.

• Wine: Trader Joe’s Chenin Blanc Viognier California 2017
• Look: Brilliant, Pale, Lemon Green
• Smell: Clean, Medium intensity, Grapefruit, Peach, Melon, Grass, Honey
• Taste: Off Dry, High acidity, No tannin, Medium body, Lemon, Peach, Honeysuckle, Almond
• Notes: Medium alcohol, Long finish, Good, Ready to drink, Balanced