Dry and Off-Dry Chenin Blanc pairs best with salads and lighter meat-based dishes, including Ham, Roast Pork, Chicken Kiev, Grouper, Fish & Chips and Shrimp Scampi.  For spicier dishes like Kung Pao Chicken, spicy Ceviche or curried chicken salad, go with an off-dry Chenin Blanc.  Meanwhile, for a dessert level sweet Chenin Blanc, pair up with fruity desserts (peach cobbler, apple crumble), blue cheese or foie gras.

Chenin Blanc might also be oaked, unoaked, or sparkling, so it runs the entire spectrum of wine styles.  For the most part, Chenin Blanc is medium-bodied and high in acidity with flavours of flowers, honey, peach, pear, melon, minerals, wet wool, green apples and lemon.

The most popular style of Chenin Blanc is called Vouvray, which hails from France.  For the most part, Chenin Blanc and Vouvray pairings are interchangeable, however, I have a separate wine pairing blog on Vouvray and food pairing.  South Africa, California, and Australia also produce excellent Chenin Blanc.

Best Food with Chenin Blanc

TypeVarietalFoodRating
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryBiltong
White WineChenin BlancGrouper
White WineChenin BlancBrandade
White WineChenin BlancCrayfish/Crawfish
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryDroëwors
White WineChenin BlancHoney Baked Ham
White WineChenin Blanc, Loire ValleyChicken Kiev
White WineChenin BlancPig Roast
White WineChenin BlancSmoorsnoek
White WineChenin BlancCajun Jambalaya - Chicken
White WineChenin Blanc, DryBrinjal Salad
White WineChenin Blanc, DryAngelfish
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryGravlax
White WineChenin BlancCrab
White WineChenin BlancLutefisk
White WineChenin Blanc, DryWaldorf Salad
White WineChenin BlancPickled Herring
White WineChenin BlancRoasted Duck
White WineChenin BlancCauliflower Soup
White WineChenin BlancApritadang Manok
Dessert WineLate Harvest Chenin BlancIndian Rojak
White WineChenin BlancTaramasalata
White WineChenin Blanc, DryCaprese Salad
Sparkling WineChenin Blanc Pét-natsPopeye's Spicy Chicken Sandwich
White WineChenin Blanc, DryHaddock
White WineChenin BlancSplit Pea & Ham Soup
White WineSauvignon Blanc - Chenin Blanc - Colombard BlendBuddha Jumps Over The Wall
White WineChenin BlancAperitif
White WineChenin Blanc, DrySardines
White WineChenin BlancChili
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryBobotie
White WineChenin BlancCrab Salad
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryMalai Kofta
White WineChenin BlancChicken Biryani
White WineChenin BlancRosemary Lemon Sauce
White WineChenin BlancArtichoke
White WineChenin BlancIngelegte Vis - Pickled Yellowtail
White WineChenin BlancThit Ga Let Chien - Chicken pan-fried with garlic
White WineChenin Blanc, DryCatfish
White WineChenin Blanc, DryFish and Chips
White WineChenin BlancPrawn Rolls - Goi Cuon
White WineChenin BlancMussels in a Tomato Broth
White WineChenin Blanc, Loire ValleyCabbage & Kielbasa Perogies
White WineChenin BlancDill
White WineChenin BlancSautéed Fish Slices
White WineChenin BlancClam Chowder - Clear Broth
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryBokkoms
White WineChenin BlancXiang Su Quan Ya - Vietnamese Crispy duck
White WineChenin BlancCornbread
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryChicken Korma
White WineChenin BlancGefilte Fish
White WineChenin Blanc, DryRumbledethumps
White WineChenin BlancCharcuterie
White WineChenin Blanc, DryAvocado Soup
White WineChenin BlancJapanese Cuisine
White WineChenin BlancTom Chien Com - Green Rice Coated Shrimp
White WineChenin BlancGrilled Trout
White WineChenin Blanc, DryFish Curry Dishes
White WineChenin BlancApple Dessert
White WineChenin BlancPork Schnitzel
White WineChenin BlancDoenjang Jjigae
White WineChenin BlancPerlemoen
White WineChenin BlancScallops / Rosemary Lemon Sauce
White WineChenin BlancJamón Ibérico
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryChicken Potjie
White WineChenin BlancGoi Cuon Dau Hu - Tofu Rolls
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryChicken Adobo
White WineChenin BlancBanh Chung - Vietnamese Tet Rice Cakes
White WineChenin BlancCom Ga Hai Nam - Vietnamese Chicken Rice
White WineChenin BlancKung Pao Chicken
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DrySaag
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryButter Chicken
White WineChenin BlancChimichanga
White WineChenin BlancPotato Leek Soup
White WineChenin BlancCanadian Bacon
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryGumbo
White WineChenin Blanc, DryBream
White WineChenin BlancMussel Pot
White WineChenin BlancAbalone
White WineChenin BlancBarbecued Chicken with Barbacue Sauce
White WineChenin BlancCorn
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryKung Pao Chicken
White WineChenin BlancVietnamese Cuisine
White WineChenin BlancLa Bourride
White WineChenin BlancButternut Squash Soup
White WineChenin BlancHummus
White WineChenin BlancSweet Potato Soup
White WineChenin BlancNiçoise Salad
White WineChenin Blanc, DryCrudité
White WineChenin BlancOmelette with Cheese
White WineChenin BlancChicken Soup
Red WineChenin BlancSamosas
White WineChenin BlancChicken Tikka Masala
White WineChenin BlancBlackened Fish
White WineChenin BlancChevre Cheese
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryFruit Fresh
White WineChenin Blanc, Loire ValleyCinnamon
White WineChenin BlancScallops
White WineChenin BlancFish
White WineChenin BlancSeafood Jambalaya
White WineChenin BlancDerby Cheese
White WineChenin BlancOysters
White WineChenin BlancChicken Wings
White WineChenin BlancWhite Sausage
White WineChenin Blanc, Off-DryChinese Cuisine
White WineChenin BlancFruit Salad
White WineChenin BlancCeviche
White WineChenin BlancCloves
White WineChenin BlancShrimp Cocktail
White WineChenin BlancChicken with Barbacue Sauce
White WineChenin BlancHavarti Cheese
White WineChenin BlancSushi Crab
White WineChenin BlancPeas
White WineChenin Blanc, Loire ValleyAsparagus
White WineChenin BlancApple
White WineChenin BlancCrab Soft-Shell
White WineChenin BlancMonterey Jack Cheese
White WineChenin BlancCod
White WineChenin BlancCauliflower
White WineChenin BlancProvolone Cheese
White WineChenin BlancChiles
White WineChenin BlancHoney
White WineChenin BlancSushi Salmon
White WineChenin BlancCamembert Cheese
White WineChenin BlancMushrooms
White WineChenin BlancTuna Ceviche
White WineChenin Blanc, DryCheese Fondue
White WineChenin BlancFlounder
White WineChenin BlancRed Snapper
White WineChenin Blanc, Loire ValleyApricot
White WineChenin BlancSushi Scallops
White WineChenin BlancFennel
White WineChenin BlancPho Ga - Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup
White WineChenin BlancShellfish
White WineChenin BlancCrottin Cheese
White WineChenin BlancChicken Salad
White WineChenin BlancGouda Cheese
White WineChenin BlancCheesecake
White WineChenin BlancFontina Cheese
White WineChenin BlancRicotta Cheese
White WineChenin BlancSalad
White WineChenin BlancApricot
White WineChenin Blanc, Loire ValleyCilantro
White WineChenin BlancCantaloupe
White WineChenin Blanc, Loire ValleyFigs

Chicken Kiev & Chenin Blanc Pairing


Chenin Blanc is a fantastic wine pairing with Chicken Kiev as the high acidity of the wine cuts through the oily breading of the Chicken Kiev keeping your mouth refreshed in between bites.  Meanwhile, the medium flavours of apricot, pear, peach and honey aren’t too sharp or fruity to drown out the tender chicken flavours.

Chenin Blanc is a mellow white wine with lots of versatility when it comes to food pairing.  However, the white wine can also offer up complex notes of minerals, brioche, caramel and almonds that bring an extra level of enjoyment to the Chicken Kiev.

Chenin Blanc & Ham Pairing


An off-dry Chenin Blanc is an excellent wine pairing with Honey Glazed Ham as the slight sweetness of the wine complements the salty-sweet nature of the Ham.  Honey, pear, apple, and apricot are classic foods that pair well with Ham, and Chenin Blanc is dominant with these flavours.  Meanwhile, Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley of France is known for its mineral notes, which complements the earthy sweetness of your Ham.

Grouper & Chenin Blanc Pairing


The minerality found in Chenin Blanc makes it an excellent wine to pair with Grouper as it complements the sea kissed flavours of the fish.  My preference for Grouper in this instance is with a dry Chenin Blanc where notes of chamomile, apricot, apple, tropical fruit and melon offer up plenty of refreshment.  Grouper that has been poached or broiled and served up plain is mild in flavour, so the addition of a lively wine that isn’t overwhelming offers enough excitement to keep you interested in your meal.

If you are serving Grouper in a cream sauce, seek out a slightly oaked Chenin Blanc, which will complement the weight of the cream sauce.  With an oaked Chenin Blanc, notes of vanilla, brioche and caramel will shine through making the combination of wine and food very delicious.

Chenin Blanc & Salade Niçoise Pairing


Salade Niçoise is salad that contains tuna, tomatoes, capers, potatoes, cucumbers, black olives, anchovies and hard boiled eggs.  All of these ingredients are tossed in a garlicky Dijon mustard vinaigrette making for some very complex flavours that do not need to be interrupted by a complex or rich white wine.

Chenin Blanc makes for a great wine pairing with Salade Niçoise as it’s medium-bodied and laid back enough to offer a refreshing break against the tornado of flavours Salade Niçoise serves up.  Instead of fighting with the garlicky dressing or sharp caper flavours, Chenin Blanc sits back and chills out, teasing you with its notes of pear, peach, apricot and apple when you need them the most.

Butternut Squash Soup & Oaked Chenin Blanc Pairing

A dry Chenin Blanc that has been oaked makes for a wonderful wine pairing with Butternut Squash Soup as the creamy texture of the wine matches the rich texture of your soup.  With notes of mineral, almond and cream, an oaked Chenin Blanc gets along great with the earthier flavours of squash.  Meanwhile, flavours of honey, pear and apple offer plenty of refreshing but contrasting flavours.