27 chenin blanc wines to try

Chenin blanc (pronounced cheh-nuhn blongk) hails from France's Loire Valley, but it's been quickly finding a home for itself in Australia. While chenin blanc accounted for just 1.5 per cent of the white wines tasted for the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion (available from August 8), these Aussie expressions prove the versatile white variety deserves a place at your table (not to mention its ability to match almost any course).

Chenin's trademark is its high acidity. It's an all-rounder grape that can produce crisp and dry wines, along with fuller-bodied styles, and even sparkling and sweet wines.

Below are 27 chenin blancs to try. They span regions including SA's Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, and Barossa Valley, WA's Margaret River, Denmark in the Great Southern, Geographe and Swan Valley, along with the Hunter and Yarra valleys, Gundagai, and Tasmania.

Try MMAD Vineyard's 2022 Blewitt Springs Chenin Blanc, the second release of the McLaren Vale wine, which has been rated 97 points by Marcus Ellis. "It's a superb wine, thrillingly refined and detailed," writes Marcus.

Jane Faulkner takes us to Aravina Estate in Margaret River for its 2023 Single Vineyard Block 4 Chenin Blanc. The $33 wine has been scored 95 points. It's "another excellent chenin to add to the wave of outstanding examples coming out of Margaret River," says Jane.

Toni Paterson MW reviews Vinden's Somerset Vineyard Chenin Blanc. The 2022 vintage is an 'outstanding' 94 points, but just be careful not to over-chill the Hunter Valley wine.

Down in the southernmost state, Dave Brookes tastes Nocton's 2022 Chenin Blanc. "Clean and refreshing on the palate" it comes 'highly recommended'.

Expand your knowledge with Halliday Wine Academy

Through Introduction to Wine, students will learn about Australian wine and wine regions, how wine is made, how to taste and describe wine, how to approach food and wine matches, along with handy tips that address common wine questions. And in part one of our Wines of the World course, discover and explore the iconic wines, regions and laws of France, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Germany and Austria.

Image credit: MMAD Vineyard.