Chenin Blanc is a white wine grape that is used to make a wide variety of wines because of its high level of acidity. The area in which it is grown has a lot to do with whether or not the wine is sparkling or dry. The cooler areas of northern France typically produce wines that are full-bodied and fruity with high levels of acidity.

Grapes that are harvested before they are ripe are made into sparkling wines. The dry wines of Anjou have flavors of quince and apples. Australian Chenin Blanc wines are very crisp and dry and those of California are mainly jug wines.

Chenin Blanc (http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Chenin%20Blanc) grapes can basically grow in any soil type, but they do need heat, which limits them to warm climates. The vine does grow very vigorously and is hardy, resisting many of the common diseases that affect vines and grapes.

When the grapes grow in tight clusters they are more susceptible to rotting and because the grapes have thin skins they can get sunburned. The vines bearing Chenin Blanc grapes produce leaves containing 3 to 5 lobes. Although the grapes bud early and grow in cone shaped clusters, they ripen late in the season.

Chenin Blanc has been described as one of the best white wines on the market. It is so versatile that you can have dry wine, sparkling wine, dessert wine or brandy all under this name. You will get a honey and floral taste and scent from almost all of the wines.

It is one of the cheaper wines, along with White Zinfandel and Pinot Gris (http://www.wineaccess.com/wine/grape/Pinot%20Grigio/Gris), especially from Australia and California, where this is the most planted grape. This is because in these climates the wines do not lose their natural acidity, which accounts for the bland taste of the wine produced in other areas.

Chenin Blanc is the superstar of French wines that come from the Loire Valley. Because of its high acidic quality, it is very longlasting. In the best wines from this region, it is unblended. Wineries in South Africa have attained international fame with the wine they produce from these grapes, with the Raats winery making some of the best wine in this country.

This winery does not age the wine in oak, which permits the true qualities of the grape to shine through in the final product. In the Raats Original Chenin Blanc 2007 one can detect the flavor and aroma of green apples, ripe pears and nepoli.

Another of the Chenin Blanc wines that has gained international attention is Chateau des Vaults, La Jalousie 2006 Savennieres. This wine has more ferality that that of the South African wines. It is a dry wine that has a savory and metallic taste and creamy texture.

When pairing this wine with food, light and delicate choices work best with young Chenin Blanc. It works exceptionally well with salads because these really bring out the green apple taste found in this varietal and those such as Sauvignon Blanc. Mild and spicy rice dishes, sushi, seafood, and poultry dishes are also foods that work well with this wine.

When selecting Chenin Blanc wines, there are five categories to watch for. These are:

• Dry

• Off-dry

• Semi-sweet

• Sweet

• Sparkling

If you are not familiar with the tastes of these categories, you should taste a sample of each one to find the wine variety that suits your palette best.