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Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc, or Pineau de la Loire, is a French grape variety originating from the Loire Valley. It takes its name from Mont-Chenin, in the Touraine district, where it has been cultivated since the 15th century; its origins appear to date back to the 9th century, near Anjou. The variety derives from a cross between Sauvignon and Traminer rot (or Savagnin). Still widespread in the Loire Valley, it is also extensively cultivated in Argentina, Chile, California, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa; in Italy, the variety is authorized in the Sicily region.

CULTIVATED AREA IN ITALY

YEAR

2015

HECTARES

45

CULTIVATED AREA IN SPAIN

YEAR

1990

1999

2009

HECTARES

46

50

705

CULTIVATED AREA IN FRANCE

YEAR

 1958 1968 1979 1988 1998 2006 2018

HECTARES

 16.594 14.199 9.552 9.054 10.042 9.777 10.085
Budbreak period: early.
Ripening period: medium.
Yield: medium.
Ampelographic characters:

Open apex, downy, with edges showing medium anthocyanin coloration, apical leaves with bronzed areas and sometimes with a copper-colored rim; medium adult leaf with 3 or 5 lobes. Medium or larger clusters, tending to be compact, with medium-sized ellipsoidal berries.

Cultural aptitudes:

Vigorous and fertile variety; its productive potential depends greatly on the fertility of the soil in which it is cultivated. It prefers schist-calcareous soils.

Training system and pruning:

It adapts to different training and pruning systems.

Susceptibility to diseases and adverse conditions:

It is particularly susceptible to gray mold, powdery mildew, and wood diseases. It shows better resistance to downy mildew, black rot, and anthracnose.

Enological potential:

It can be used to produce sparkling wines, white wines, or liqueurs. In wines, the potential acidity is high; they are elegant, rather lively, with honey aromas.

Clones in propagation:

ISV-R4, VCR 494, VCR 497

Chenin Blanc

VCR494

Enological potential:

High sugar accumulation capacity; notes of ripe apple, orange blossom, and citrus. On the palate it has good persistence and sapidity. It is suitable for the production of still wines, both dry and sweet, with good aging potential; it is also suitable for the production of botrytized wines.

Origin: Menfi (AG)
Year of approval: 2022

Vigour
Cluster
Berry
Yield

VARIETY EVERAGE

SENSORY PROFILE

—●— Variety everage

—●— VCR494

Chenin Blanc

VCR497

Enological potential:

Sweet notes of tropical and ripe fruits, orange blossom, lemon, citrus; on the palate honey and acidity are well balanced, good structure and persistence. It lends itself to the production of wines intended for aging, or as a sparkling wine base; it is often used in blends with Chardonnay.

Origin: Menfi (AG)
Year of approval: 2022

Vigour
Cluster
Berry
Yield

VARIETY EVERAGE

SENSORY PROFILE

—●— Variety everage

—●— VCR497