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French white-wine grape that is the basis for many superior wines coming out of France’s Loire region. These include lively, dry wines from Savennières; medium-sweet wines from Vouvray; rich, late harvest wines from Coteaux du Layon; and fragrant sparkling wines from Saumur. French Chenin Blanc has an intense, fascinating aroma; its high acidity enables some of these wines to balance the sweetness and age for years. Two notable areas from the Coteaux du Layon are Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux, where botrytised grapes produce intensely sweet, rich, flavorful wines. Although sometimes called Pineau de la Loire or Pineau d’Anjou, Chenin Blanc is not related to Pinot Noir. Chenin Blanc is widely grown outside of France in South Africa and California and is planted to a lesser extent in Chile, Australia, and New Zealand. In the mid-1960s, it was discovered that South Africa had been growing this grape for centuries but referred to it as Steen or Stein. Unfortunately, most of the Chenin Blancs produced around the world—particularly those from hotter growing areas—don’t compare to the quality of the top French efforts. Most Chenin Blanc grapes are more neutral and much less exciting. Wines from cooler regions can be well balanced with delicate, floral characteristics and hints of melon. Because of the grape’s high acid content, Chenin Blanc wines outside of France are often combined with other wines to cut Chenin Blanc’s sharpness and enliven the final blend. Chenin Blanc is also called Gros Pineau de Vouvray, Pineau de Savennières, and Pinot Blanco.