At Home in Both Hemispheres

Chenin Blanc is grown in 29 countries worldwide, with five of them — South Africa, France, the United States, Argentina and Australia — accounting for 98 percent of the total vineyard area. South Africa is the world’s leading producer, ahead of France. Sixty percent of the world’s Chenin vineyards are located in the Southern Hemisphere and 40 percent in the Northern Hemisphere.

Chenin occupies an outstanding position in South Africa’s vineyards. Accounting for 19% of the country’s vineyard area, it is the most widely planted grape variety. In France, it ranks 14th among the most widely planted grape varieties and fifth among white wine varieties — an impressive position considering the many important wine-growing regions worldwide.

Winemaking – Focus on Dry White Wines

Chenin Blanc has long been known as a grape variety capable of producing a broad range of wines. Cultivated by monks in France’s Loire region during the Middle Ages, it was used to produce wines ranging from dry to sweet. Thanks to its ability to adapt to different wine styles, Chenin played a role in the early development of winemaking. Its versatility continues to be highly valued today.

In addition to dry white wines, which account for the majority of wines produced from Chenin grapes worldwide, the variety is also used for sweet wines and sparkling wines. It may be vinified as a single-varietal wine or used in blends, sometimes serving as the principal grape variety.

Rising Consumption – Driven by the Momentum of Sparkling Wines

France, Germany and the United Kingdom are the world’s three leading markets for sparkling wines made from Chenin grapes. Consumption in these countries has increased by 37% over the past five years, with particularly strong growth in popularity in France and Germany. Europe accounts for two thirds of global consumption.

The figures speak for themselves: in 2024, 136 million bottles of Chenin wines were consumed. Two thirds were still wines and one third sparkling wines. This represents a 7% increase in consumption — an additional 8.7 million bottles — driven in particular by the momentum of sparkling wines.

Younger Consumers on Average in Germany, the United States, France and the Netherlands

In these four countries, one in five consumers under the age of 35 drinks still wines made from Chenin. The profile of these consumers is younger than that of the average wine consumer. In terms of market size, the United States has the largest number of Chenin consumers, at eleven million, while the United Kingdom has the highest proportion of consumers, at one in five.

A Grape Variety with Strong Potential in the White Wine Market

According to the Wine Trade Monitor (Hopscotch Season), distribution professionals consider Chenin to be the third most important white grape variety in terms of global business development, directly behind Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

In France, Chenin is regarded as an interesting variety for adaptation within several AOPs, including areas outside the Loire region. This integration highlights its adaptability as part of a forward-looking approach to viticulture in France.

Chenin in Figures (2023)

• 31,200 hectares planted worldwide in 2023
• 19% of vineyard area in South Africa, the world’s largest producing country
• 7% growth in consumption over the five years from 2019 to 2024
• 136 million bottles consumed worldwide in 2024
• Germany is the largest consumer market for still wines
• France is the largest consumer market for sparkling wines

– – –
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Stas Knop

ANJOU-CHENIN DOSSIER

Rosé under pressure, vineyards in transition, Chenin on the rise: Three articles exploring how Anjou is responding to a changing wine market.

→ Uproot or Retell
→ Anjou is being uprooted!
→ Chenin Blanc: A Globetrotter