Written by Holly Salt DipWSET
When I travelled to South Africa for a buying trip in September 2025, I thought I had a fairly good idea of what to expect. Great wines, exciting producers, impressive progress; all things I’d already experienced before.
What I didn’t fully expect was just how visually and emotionally overwhelming the country would feel this time.
Endless mountain ranges. Vast open landscapes. Vineyards squeezed between ocean winds and rugged hillsides. Light that seems brighter than it has any right to be. And weather that can feel calm, dramatic and unforgiving, sometimes all in the same afternoon.
It’s a place that constantly reminds you that wine is shaped first and foremost by nature.
And nowhere is that more obvious than with Chenin Blanc.
Why Chenin Blanc matters so much
Chenin Blanc is one of the most versatile grape varieties in the world. It can be:
- bone-dry or lusciously sweet;
- razor-sharp or richly textured;
- light and delicate or deeply structured.
Few grapes reflect terroir more honestly. Give Chenin a different climate, soil, or philosophy, and it will happily change character.
That’s why comparing South Africa and the Loire is so fascinating. They share history, genetics and tradition… but express them in very different ways. And that's why is why we created a six-bottle Chenin case, designed for slow, side-by-side exploring rather than quick decisions: Heritage Chenin Blanc Collection - South African & French Icons
Chenin Blanc in South Africa: freedom, energy and precision
South Africa is now home to the largest area of Chenin Blanc in the world. Here, it’s not a niche variety. It’s part of the country’s identity.
What makes South African Chenin so compelling today is the balance between old vines, modern thinking, and deep respect for place.
Let’s look at three key areas.
Swartland: texture, honesty and old vines
Swartland is where much of the modern Chenin revolution began.
Dry-farmed bush vines. Old parcels. Granite and shale soils. Minimal intervention. Maximum personality.
Chenin from Swartland often shows:
- ripe orchard fruit;
- subtle honeyed notes;
- savoury undertones;
- firm, natural structure.
These are wines that don’t try to impress instantly. They build slowly in the glass. Much like the region itself.
They also tend to age beautifully; quietly proving that power and finesse can coexist.
What to try: A A Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2025
Western Cape: diversity as a strength
“Western Cape” is a broad term, but that’s exactly its strength.
Here you find:
- coastal influence;
- inland heat;
- mountain slopes;
- valley floors.
Chenin from this wider area can range from fresh and citrus-driven to richer and more rounded styles.
What unites them is balance. Even riper examples usually retain lift and drinkability.
It’s also where many younger producers are experimenting; blending sites, playing with élevage, and refining styles year after year.
Think of it as the creative playground of South African Chenin.
What to try: Bruce Jack Boer Maak 'n Plan Chenin Blanc 2022
Stellenbosch: precision meets depth
Stellenbosch is better known for Cabernet and Bordeaux blends, but its Chenin deserves far more attention.
Here, the wines tend to show:
- greater polish;
- more defined structure;
- subtle oak integration;
- impressive ageing potential.
Chenin from Stellenbosch often sits at the crossroads between power and elegance. It’s where technical precision meets natural generosity.
If Swartland is about raw expression, Stellenbosch is about refinement.
What to try: Warwick Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2022
Chenin Blanc in the Loire: restraint, history and quiet complexity
Across the continent, the Loire Valley tells a very different story.
Here, Chenin has been grown for centuries. Tradition runs deep. Styles are shaped by cooler climates, limestone-rich soils and long-established practices.
Let’s focus on three classic areas.
Touraine: freshness and accessibility
Touraine produces some of the most approachable Chenin in the Loire.
Typically:
- light to medium-bodied;
- citrus and apple-driven;
- gently floral;
- refreshing and precise.
These are wines that rarely shout. They whisper: politely.
They’re perfect examples of how Chenin can be expressive without being heavy.
What to try: Domaine Bonnigal-Bodet Touraine Amboise Sec Le Clocher Chenin 2023
Saumur: tension and mineral backbone
Move slightly east and you reach Saumur, where tuffeau limestone dominates.
Here, Chenin gains:
- stronger mineral definition;
- higher natural acidity;
- firmer structure;
- greater ageing potential.
Saumur wines often feel more serious, more linear, more “architectural”.
They’re built on tension rather than texture.
What to try: Chateau de Villeneuve Saumur Blanc 2024
Savennières: power through restraint
Savennières is Chenin’s intellectual territory.
These are not wines that charm immediately. They demand patience.
Expect:
- restrained aromatics;
- dense mineral cores;
- subtle oxidative notes;
- remarkable longevity.
At their best, Savennières wines are deeply complex, but never obvious.
They’re the kind of bottles that quietly reward the curious.
What to try: Domaine des Forges Savennieres 'Le Moulin de Gue' 2024
South Africa vs Loire: where they meet… and where they part
Comparing these regions isn’t about deciding who “wins”. It’s about understanding how the same grape tells different stories.
Where they’re similar
Both regions share:
- a focus on site expression;
- increasing respect for old vines;
- growing emphasis on low-intervention farming;
- serious ageing potential.
In both places, the best producers are obsessed with balance rather than trends.
Chenin, in the right hands, is never about fashion.
If you’re curious to taste these differences side by side, we’ve put together a small mixed case featuring three South African and three Loire Chenins: Heritage Chenin Blanc Collection - South African & French Icons
Where they differ
The differences are just as important.
Climate
- South Africa: warmer, sunnier, more dramatic extremes;
- Loire: cooler, more temperate, slower ripening.
Texture vs tension
- South Africa often favours texture and generosity;
- Loire tends to prioritise acidity and precision.
Philosophy
- South Africa feels freer, more experimental;
- Loire remains more rooted in tradition.
Neither approach is better. They’re simply shaped by different realities.
A quick personal observation
What struck me most during my trip was how naturally confident South African producers have become.
There’s no longer any sense of “catching up”. There’s quiet assurance.
Many of the Chenins I tasted felt world-class: not because they tried to imitate Europe, but because they didn’t. They embraced where they come from.
And that’s always when wine becomes most interesting.
How to choose between them (without overthinking it!)
If you’re standing in front of a shelf wondering which way to go, here’s a simple guide:
Choose South Africa if you enjoy:
- broader texture;
- ripe fruit;
- subtle richness;
- immediate generosity.
Choose the Loire if you prefer:
- sharper acidity;
- mineral focus;
- restraint;
- long-term evolution.
Or… choose both! Research strongly suggests that alternating between them improves overall happiness.
(No formal studies yet, but I’m optimistic.)
Final thoughts
Chenin Blanc is one of the great storytellers of the wine world.
In South Africa, it speaks of light, space, resilience and creativity.
In the Loire, it speaks of patience, precision and quiet depth.
Different accents. Same language. We just need to sit down, pour ourselves a glass… and listen.
