This grape variety is considered to be a versatile white wine grape variety and entertains a long history of cultivation in that particular region. This grape variety is said to have cultivated in that particular region for a period of 1300 years now.

This variety of white wine grapes is considered to be very high as to its level of acidity and therefore it is carried out in the preparation of all kinds of wines, including the sparkling wines, dessert wines as well as well-balanced wines.

Outside the regions of Loire, this white wine grape variety can be found growing in most of the New World wine regions.

The plantation of this white wine grape variety is also carried out in abundance in the regions of South Africa. In the South African vineyards, this grape variety is referred to as Steen.

Also in this particular country, this white wine grape variety is considered as one of the first varieties of grape to be grown by Jan van Riebeeck in the year 1655.

It is also considered that it may have come to this country with the Huguenots fleeing France post the revocation of the Edict of Nnates in the year 1685.

This white wine grape variety was frequently misidentified in Australia as well. Because of all these reasons, the tracing of this white wine grape variety is considered to be a rocket science.

This white wine grape variety has experienced a number of ups and downs throughout the history. According to the official French documents, this grape variety is considered as one of the earliest white wine grape varieties of the region of France.

It has also appeared in a number of parts of the Loire Valley under different names after that. This grape fell out of fashion in the early 20th century.

However, the plantation of this white wine grape variety was soon renewed in the 1980s and since then this white wine grape variety is considered as a classic as well as noble grape variety.

In the vineyards the growers must keep the high yields of this white wine grape variety in check. These yields must allow all the flavors to concentrate and to retain the floral bouquet so present in them.

This white wine grape variety buds very early and ripens very late. All these factors make it vulnerable to frost in the cooler parts of the world.

Lately, a shift in the attitudes to this classic grape variety has encountered an upsurge in terms of its quality in the regions of South Africa.

The ancient bush-vines in Swartland as well as Stellenbosch are preparing rich and concentrated wines out of this white wine grape variety that are considered to be more tropical as to their characters than their counterparts in the Loire Valley.

These wines also display the characters similar to melon, banana, pineapple and guava. This white wine grape variety is also planted and cultivated in the regions of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Chile, though this plantation is carried out in minimal amounts.

This white wine grape variety is also known under a number of synonyms such as Pineau, Chenin, Chenin Blanc, Steen as well as Pineau d’Anjou.

Origin

According to a number of wine experts and ampelographers, this white wine grape variety is considered to have originated in the wine region of Anjou.

The plantation of this white wine grape variety dates back I the 9th century in this region and after that the same traveled to the region of Tourine by at least 15th century.

Wines with Pineau de la Loire grapes

Characteristics

This white wine grape variety is considered to be a very versatile grape variety that is able to produce all kinds of wines.

The wines produced by this white wine grape variety vary in different styles such as botrytis-affected dessert wines, lusciously sweet wines, light wines, honeyed wines, sparkling wines as well as full-bodied and still white wines.

This grape variety is also considered as the base grape for a number of superior French wines and is also used to enhance the jug wines that are produced in the United States.

The wines produced out of this white wine grape variety are naturally high acidic wines that produce the wines which are dry to moderately sweet. These wines entertain flavors similar to fruits and spices and they are very crispy.

Food pairing

All the wines produced out of this white wine grape variety taste the best when they are paired with the food items like riche dishes, fresh oysters, lemon meringue pie and several spicy foods.

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