Wine Pairing

Getting to Know your Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is one of the most versatile wine grapes in the world, with a high level of acidity which can produce still, sparkling or even sweet wine in range of styles. The white grape originates from Loire Valley in France, where it is also known as Pineau de la Loire, but it is also popular in South Africa, Australia, the USA, and Argentina. The traditional, dry style of Chenin Blanc is characterized by apple and pear flavours, with a hint of honey and delicate flower aromas. More complex variations will be higher in acidity and uphold a crunchy, stony mineral taste.

Styles of Chenin Blanc and their Ideal Pairings:

Sparkling

Chenin Blanc can be made into both dry and sweet variations of sparkling wine. This depends on the ripeness of the harvested grape. For the dry, highly acidic styles of sparkling Chenin Blanc, the ideal food pairings are rich in fats and often fried. This includes fried chicken and pork belly, and even rich food like smoked salmon and caviar. The sweet style of the sparkling wine is best paired with spicy food, as the sweet and spicy tastes balance each other out. This includes spicy Mexican food, kimchi, Thai green curry, and chicken vindaloo. The wine also pairs well with fruit-based desserts like fruit tarts or an angel food cake, as long as the wine is always sweeter than the food.

Dry

Dry Chenin Blanc is light and fruity with floral aromas. It is also high in acidity, but it is still a delicate style of wine, and it should be paired with equally as delicate dishes. Options revolve mostly around seafood, including sushi, shrimp and fish cakes, oysters, and clams. Alternatively, it may also be paired with grilled chicken.

Full-bodied and Oaked

The oak in the wine adds body and a creamy texture to the Chenin Blanc. Food pairings for this style of wine are diversely spread across meaty, seafood and pasta dishes. Suggestions include grilled lobster, surf and turf, seafood risotto or seafood pasta, pasta with cream sauce and lamb kebabs.

Sweet and Still

This style of Chenin Blanc is characterized by varying degrees of sweetness, balanced out by its mineral component and high acidity. The sweetness depends on how late in the season the grapes are harvested and left to ripen. This variability allows the wine to be paired with both sweet and savoury dishes. Fully sweet styles of Chenin Blanc pair well with sweet desserts and rich dishes like chocolate cake, apple pie or a peach cobbler. Savoury dishes that also pair well include roast duck and suckling pig. 

A wide variety of quality ingredients are available from Arkadia supermarkets in Malta and Gozo, including Arkadia FoodExpress Swatar and Arkadia Food Market Valletta.

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