Pineau de la Loire, internationally renowned as Chenin Blanc, is a versatile grape variety primarily originating from the Loire Valley in France. Its aromatic profile is distinguished by lively notes of quince, green apple, pear and citrus, often complemented by delicate hints of honey, white blossom and chamomile. On the palate, Pineau de la Loire exhibits remarkable acidity, lending the wines a vibrant freshness and excellent ageing potential. Its gustatory range spans from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, frequently displaying flavours of stone fruits, honeycomb and acacia, underpinned by a mineral backbone.
While the grape’s heartland remains the Touraine, Anjou and Saumur sub-regions of the Loire, it also thrives in areas such as South Africa (Steen) and, to a lesser extent, in the USA and Australia. Typical wine styles include dry and off-dry still wines, sparkling Crémant de Loire, and complex botrytised or late-harvest dessert wines from appellations such as Vouvray, Savennières and Coteaux du Layon.
Ideal food pairings encompass goat’s cheese, poultry in creamy sauces, shellfish, and mildly spicy Asian cuisine. The grape’s hallmark acidity also enables Pineau de la Loire wines to cut through rich textures, making them a perfect match for foie gras and fruit-based desserts.
