A grape variety

Mainly planted in the southern hemisphere, particularly in South Africa

Found in 29 countries around the world, Chenin is particularly prevalent in five countries (South Africa, France, the United States, Argentina and Australia), which account for 98% of the total area under cultivation.

South Africa is the world's leading producer of Chenin, ahead of France. 60% of the world's Chenin vineyards are planted in the southern hemisphere and 40% in the northern hemisphere. 
Chenin occupies a prominent place in South Africa's vineyards. Covering 19% of South Africa's vineyards, it is the most widely planted grape variety. In France, it ranks 14th among the most widely planted grape varieties and 5th among the most widely planted white grape varieties. It occupies a prominent place in the white grape varieties of many major wine-producing regions around the world.

Winemaking

Focused on the production of dry white wines

Chenin Blanc is a grape variety historically renowned for its ability to produce a wide range of wines. The grape variety was cultivated in the Middle Ages in the Loire region (France) by monks who used it to produce wines ranging from dry to sweet. Chenin then played a role in the early discoveries of winemaking, thanks to its ability to adapt to different styles of wine. Today, it is still recognised for its versatility in winemaking.
In addition to dry white wines, which make up the majority of wines produced with Chenin grapes worldwide, it is also vinified into sweet white winesand used in the production of sparkling wines. It is vinified either as a single varietal or in blends, where it sometimes acts as the main grape variety.

Growing consumption

Driven by the momentum of sparkling wines, concentrated in Europe
 

136 million bottles of Chenin wines will be consumed in 2024. Two-thirds will be still wines and one-third sparkling wines. Over the last five years, consumption has grown by 7% (+8.7 million bottles), driven in particular by the momentum of sparkling wines, which can be observed worldwide regardless of the grape variety.
85 million bottles of still wines made from Chenin are consumed worldwide in 2024.

Germany is the leading consumer market, ahead of France and the United Kingdom. Europe accounts for two-thirds of global consumption. Over the last five years, consumption of still wines has grown in Russia, South Africa, France, China and the United States.


As for sparkling wines, 51 million bottles will be consumed worldwide in 2024. The European market accounts for 9 out of 10 bottles consumed worldwide. France, Germany and the United Kingdom are the top three global markets for sparkling wines made from Chenin grapes. Consumption of sparkling wines has increased by 37% in five years, with a particularly noticeable surge in popularity in France and Germany.
 

Consumers

On average younger in Germany, the United States, France and the Netherlands

In these four countries, one in five consumers under the age of 35 drinks still wines made from Chenin. The profile of Chenin consumers is younger than the average wine consumer.

Given the size of the market, the United States has the largest number of Chenin consumers (11 million), but the United Kingdom has the highest proportion of consumers (one in five).

Outlook

Chenin, one of the most eagerly awaited white grape varieties on the market

According to the Wine Trade Monitor, Chenin is the third most important white grape variety in terms of business development worldwide, according to distribution professionals, just behind Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. In France, Chenin is considered a variety of interest for adaptation to several AOPs outside the Loire region. This integration of Chenin highlights its adaptability in a forward-looking approach to viticulture in France.

  • 31,200 ha

    planted worldwide in 2023

  • 19% 

    of vineyard area in South Africa, its 1st producer country

  • 136 Millions

    bottles consumed worldwide in 2024

  • Germany

    the n1 consumer market for still wines

  • +7%

    growth in consumption over the last five years
     

  • France

    the n1 consumer market for sparkling wines

Download the summary

To discover all the data from the Global Observatory dedicated to the Chenin grape variety "Observatoire mondial du Chenin", download the economic summary highlighting the production and consumption figures for Chenin wines worldwide.

Download pdf (EN)Download pdf (FR)

Photos credits : Stevens Frémont, Mélanie Denizot, Erika Colin