The Chenin Grape

The Chenin Grape - Savennières © les conteurs

Chenin, one of the Loire Valley’s major grapes and an emblematic variety of the Anjou-Saumur vineyards

Chenin, part and parcel of the Anjou-Saumur wine region

Ever heard of the grape variety ‘Plant d’Anjou’? It is the former name for Chenin, which has over one thousand years of history in the Loire Valley. Nowadays, the variety covers 25% of the Anjou-Saumur winegrowing area. Come and discover the unique character of this grape that is capable of expressing the region’s mosaic of terroirs and which can be used to produce all styles of wine (dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling).

A rare and demanding variety with multiple facets to discover

Along Anjou’s Wine Routes, winemakers await you for a tasting of wines made from Chenin. You will have the opportunity to experience and enjoy the extremely elegant aromas that this grape reveals with time, like acacia, hawthorn blossom, linden, quince, Mirabelle plum, pear, citrus, guava tropical fruits, honey and beeswax.

Stop by the winemakers who continue to write and share the history of Chenin by producing from this grape variety, wines AOC Anjou Blanc, Savennières, Savennières Roche aux Moines, Savennières Casting Serrant, Anjou Coteaux de la Loire, Coteaux du Layon, Coteaux du Layon Premier Cru Thatch, Quarry Grand Cru Quarters, Bonnezeaux, Coteaux de l'Aubance, Anjou fines bulles.

You can also savour these wines in many restaurants featuring local food and wine pairings on their menu.

You have understood, your wine tourism trip to Angers is an invitation to the heart of the history of Chenin, grape variety characteristic of our region.