2019 Anjou, Blanc, Domaine Thibaud Boudignon, Loire

Thibaud Boudignon

Anjou-Blanc

Anjou Blanc is a type of wine produced in the Anjou wine region of the Loire Valley in France. The Anjou region is known for its broad spectrum of wines, including red, white, and rosé produced with varying sweetness levels.

Anjou Blanc is typically made from the Chenin Blanc grape, known locally as Pineau de la Loire. This grape is used for dry, sweet, still, and sparkling wines. The wine is sourced from vineyards that fall along the border of the two sub-regions of Anjou.

The region is geographically divided into two dominant profiles based on soil types. The first of these, “Anjou Blanc,” lies west of the appellation, where chalky limestone soils impart a lighter, more energetic expression of Chenin Blanc.

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is an important white grape variety planted in the Anjou-Saumur and Touraine regions of the Loire Valley and the most widely planted varietal grape in South Africa.

In the Loire it produces high quality dry wines in Savenniéres, and luscious sweet, dessert wines in Coteaux du Layon, Bonnezeaux and Quarts de Chaume. In Vouvray and Montlouis it can be dry, medium dry, or sweet, and still or sparkling. Whether dry or sweet, the best Loire Chenin Blancs possess marvellously concentrated rich, honeyed fruit together with refreshingly vibrant acidity. It is Chenin Blanc's high acidity that enable the wines to age so well.

In South Africa Chenin Blanc is easier to grow and is prized for its versatility. It is used as a cheap blending option with Chardonnay, Colombard, and Muscat but also bottled unblended. The best producers keep their yields low and produce impressive mouthfilling wines.