The Loire Valley Chenin Blanc production

In France, the Chenin Blanc is mostly cultivated on the Loire river banks ( 92% of the area). In 2018, it is the 4th most planted grape variety (after Cabernet Franc, melon de Bourgogne and Sauvignon) with 14.6% of the vineyard (13.1% in 2006). It spreads over 9700 ha (856 ha more than in 2012). We mainly find it in 5 departements : Maine-et-Loire, Indre-et-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, Vienne et Sarthe. Maine et Loire and Indre et Loire represent 92% of the production.

Chenin Blanc grape plantation areas in the Loire Valley 

With its 10551 ha of Chenin Blanc in 2018, France represents a third of the global areas. The first country producer of Chenin Blanc is South Africa with 17 242 ha divided in 10 areas of production (source : SAWIS). The biggest one is Olifants River (2 821 ha). The Loire Valley represents itself about 30% of the production, which makes it the first Chenin winegrowing region of the world.

In 2018, the Loire Valley region produced 522 000hl of PDO wines, 100% Chenin Blanc or with blending, and 7 600hl of PGI wines, divided in : 64% of sparkling, 25% of dry/half-dry and 11% of sweet.

 Distribution of the Chenin Blanc wines volume harvested in 2018 in the Loire Valley.
These volumes are constituted of 29 PDO, denominations and PGI Loire Valley.

Sources : Fanny Gautier –  Interloire –Economic and studies department responsible – July 2019 – Chenin Blanc International Congress - Angers