Grape Vine 'Chenin Blanc'

A classic white grape variety that was first grown in the Loire region of France, and today is used in many Loire wines such as Anjou and Vouvray. The Loire area is of course one of the cooler areas of France which produces a drier wine from Chenin Blanc; we think similar wines could be expected from UK-grown vines. In South Africa, where it is now the most widely grown white variety, it produces clean and crisp wines with a unique flavour often likened to Greengages.

Despite being early to bud, the fruit takes a long time to grow and mature, and we think that, apart from in the warmest parts of the UK, it is unlikely that the fruit will ripen fully before the onset of winter. Consequently, growing under protection is recommended.

The mature fruits are are fairly small and green in colour. The juice extracted from them can be sweetened for drinking, or fermented to make a fine table wine.

• Originally from France.
• Late-season fruit ripening (probably too late for most of the UK outside).
• Winter wood ripening is good, so could be grown outdoors, though to guarantee fruit ripening we recommend protected growing (greenhouse, polytunnel or conservatory).
• Can be trained using either the cane replacement method or spur pruning.
• Self fertile.
• Fruit contains seeds.