Chenin Blanc has become a flagship white grape variety for South Africa, producing some of the world’s finest examples of this versatile and expressive wine. Originally hailing from the Loire Valley in France, Chenin Blanc found a welcoming home in South Africa’s diverse terroirs. The grape is known for its ability to adapt to a wide range of climates, from cooler coastal regions to warmer inland areas, and this adaptability has contributed to its prominence in South African viticulture.
One of the defining features of Chenin Blanc is its diversity. It is grown in nearly every wine-producing region of the country, from the cooler coastal areas of the Western Cape, such as Stellenbosch, Swartland, and the Cape Peninsula, to the warmer inland regions like the Breede River Valley. This wide range of climates allows the grape to express itself in multiple ways, offering wines that vary in sweetness, body, and complexity. In the cooler regions, the grapes tend to produce fresher, more mineral-driven wines, while in the warmer regions, the wines are often richer and more fruit-forward.
The versatility of Chenin Blanc makes it a great candidate for various wine styles. You can find it made into everything from dry, crisp whites to rich, sweet dessert wines. The dry versions often feature vibrant acidity and flavours of green apple, citrus, and honeyed notes, with the best examples showing complexity and depth, especially when aged. In contrast, sweet styles, such as those made from late-harvested or botrytized grapes, can display concentrated apricot, marmalade, and tropical fruit flavours.
South Africa’s winemakers have embraced the potential of Chenin Blanc, pushing boundaries and exploring different techniques to enhance the grape’s natural qualities. Many producers in regions like Swartland have gained international recognition for crafting complex and age-worthy Chenin Blancs, often from old vines. These wines are prized for their balance, structure, and ability to improve with time. Fermenting in oak barrels is also common, imparting a subtle layer of texture and spice, adding an extra dimension to the wine’s character.
The country’s commitment to sustainable viticulture and innovative winemaking further enhances the appeal of this already impressive variety, making it one of the cornerstones of South Africa’s wine industry.
Kleine Zalze Old Bush Vine Family Reserve 2023
Stellenbosch
This exceptional Chenin Blanc is crafted from the finest grapes, emphasizing elegance and structure over overt fruitiness. It offers flavours of white peach and citrus pith, with subtle power, a mineral finish, and delicate floral notes, promising excellent ageing potential. It is a wine of refinement and understated complexity.
Cape of Good Hope Van Lill Chenin Blanc 2024
Citrusdal
Subtle floral notes delicately surround the more prominent scents of chamomile, white peach, and a touch of honeyed spice. On the palate, ripe, sun-drenched stone fruits—peach, nectarine, and a hint of apricot—make a striking first impression. The wine shines with a zesty vibrancy, its acidity perfectly balancing the juicy fruit flavours. With a graceful structure, it benefits from the gentle influence of oak and lees, adding depth to its mouthfeel. Smooth and satisfying, the soft honey and spice nuances linger in a long, rewarding finish—a beautifully complex experience.
Beaumont Family Wines Hope Marguerite Chenin Blanc 2020
Bot River
This wine is crafted from a careful selection of the finest fruit from our oldest vineyards at Beaumont. Fermented naturally with minimal intervention and aged primarily in used 400L French oak barrels, it offers a harmonious balance of richness, power, and precision.
This Western Cape white wine pairs beautifully with seafood, particularly scallops, and vibrant, spicy Asian dishes.
With its vibrant freshness and structure, this South African white wine has excellent ageing potential and can be cellared until 2035.
Mullineux Iron Rondomskrik Chenin Blanc 2023
Swartland
Hand-harvested grapes were whole-bunch-pressed and oxidatively handled. After natural fermentation, minimal SO2 was added, and the wine matured on lees for 11 months in 4th-fill French oak. Bottled unfiltered, it offers aromas of yellow orchard fruits, orange peel, and a flinty note with a textured, slightly saline finish.
AA Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2024
Swartland
The AA Badenhorst, Secateurs Chenin Blanc is a rich and concentrated Chenin Blanc from very old vines, un-irrigated and farmed as organically as possible. Flavours of ripe apples and honey and a creamy texture give the wine richness and weight whilst retaining the thrillingly zippy tang of Chenin’s acid backbone. It will cope beautifully with roast pork or roast chicken and would do a rich fish pie serious justice.
