Wine Enthusiast calls Chenin Blanc the "little black dress of the wine world" and we couldn't agree more. With the annual Franschhoek Bastille Festival happening mid-July, our French winemaking heritage is top of mind and we have been thinking about what is it that makes this French variety that has been cultivated in the Loire Valley since at least the 9th century, so suitable to South African terroir and palates that we think of it as an authentically South African wine. 

According to the Wine Enthusiast article, Chenin Blanc might be the most versatile wine grape on the planet: "Produced around the globe, from its roots in France’s to South Africa, California and well beyond, it takes on a life of its own in each place it’s grown."

And perhaps the reason for the affinity both our tastes and terroir have for Chenin Blanc lies exactly here. Chenin Blanc seems to embrace change and adapt to challenges. Like that immigrant who becomes successful and easily makes new friends, Chenin Blanc has taken to our terroir and tastes and became a firm favourite not only in our glasses, but also in our hearts as this diverse, resilient and creative variety also speaks to the character of South African society. No wonder that Chenin Blanc is the most widely planted grape in South Africa and that since 2024, SA is the world’s largest producer of Chenin.

While vinification techniques vary between regions and producers, a dedication to refining vineyard practices and embracing terroir consistently enhances the profile of South African Chenin Blanc. Adding to the quality, is its ability to be used in a wide variety of styles and this is exactly what we have done at Leopard's Leap. 

Inspired by the original French styles of Chenin Blanc, we use the bright fruit of South African vineyards to charm with everything from an easy-drinking Chenin Blanc, to the intrigue of an oak-matured version, a 100% Chenin Blanc Cap Classique sparkling wine as well as a brand new Natural Sweet addition to the range to ensure that you can go from aperitifs to dessert with Chenin Blanc.

2025 Leopard's Leap Chenin Blanc - a refreshing wine with herbaceous notes, ideal for sunshiny weather and extended lunch hours. Although inspired by the lighter wines of the Loire, often labelled as Vouvray or Anjou, this style of Chenin Blanc seems like it is made for a South African summer. Beautiful layers of fresh melon and guava play on the nose, with subtle whiffs of jasmine and peach blossoms. Lovely on its own, with fresh salads, Friday night pizza and Sunday chicken!

2024 Culinaria Chenin Blanc - based on the Chenin Blancs from Loire producers in regions like Vouvray, Savennières, and Bonnezeaux using oak fermentation, the 2024 Culinaria Chenin Blanc has a well-defined ripe fruit character with aromas of tropical fruit and yellow peach, beautifully balanced with refreshing white fruit such as pear. The quality and concentration contributed by dryland bushvine vineyards ensures a wine that is structured and textured and a remarkably versatile partner to food, from the often-challenging spice of Asian and acidity of tomato dishes to slow-cooked stews with complex flavours and even rich and creamy recipes begging for balance.

Culinaria Méthode Cap Classique - while the method to making this sparkling wine originates from France's Champagne region and is called Méthode Cap Classique in South Africa, the Culinaria MCC is made from 100% Chenin Blanc rather than the traditional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and is therefore also inspired by the Chenin Blanc sparkling wines of Vouvray. Made from registered old vines, these Chenin grapes are exceptional and translate into flavours of green pear, Granny Smith apples, lime and grapefruit. The palate is crisp with beautiful fine bubbles due to the secondary fermentation in the bottle. This celebratory wine charms with a fresh minerality and lingers on the palate with a biscuity finish. 

Culinaria Natural Sweet Chenin Blanc - while Chenin Blanc's natural acidity makes it a wonderful variety for dry wines - fresh and vibrant or fuller-bodied and mellow - it also lends itself beautifully to off-dry and even seductive sweet wines. Inspired by the sweet Chenin Blancs of Coteaux du Layon, the Culinaria Natural Sweet is picked at 50 degrees balling and fermented to 10% alcohol, resulting in a RS of close to 250 gram per litre. It is a proper dessert wine with enough acidity and structure to not be overwhelmed by its sweetness. A charmer with both sweet desserts and more savoury choices such as cheese and pâtés, the wine is deep gold in colour with an opulent bouquet of marmalade, peach, apricot and honeycomb. Add to that a delightful whiff of ginger and this new addition to the Leopard's Leap French-inspired Culinaria collection is viscous, voluptuous and irresistible. 

As dependable as that little black dress introduced by French fashionista, Coco Chanel in 1926, Chenin Blanc never goes out of fashion and can be dressed up and down to ensure it adds flair, finesse and fun to literally any occasion.

Join us  for a Chenin Blanc tasting and try a delightful pairing with the French favourite Crêpes Suzette! Available in our Tasting Room between 11 and 31 July.