Savennieres is known for dry wines made from which grape?

• A. Cabernet Franc
• B. Sauvignon Blanc
• C. Chardonnay
• D. Chenin Blanc

Answer: (D)

Savennieres is defined by dry white wines made from Chenin Blanc. Chenin Blanc is the classic grape of the Loire Valley’s Anjou region, where Savennieres sits, and it has the high acidity and versatility to yield bone-dry, ageworthy whites. The wines from this area are often concentrated and can develop complex, mineral-and-honeyed character with time, which is a hallmark of Savennieres. The other grapes don’t fit this style: Cabernet Franc is predominantly a red grape used in nearby regions like Chinon and Bourgueil; Sauvignon Blanc is the grape behind wines from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé; Chardonnay is not the characteristic grape associated with Savennieres. So the grape that defines dry Savennieres wines is Chenin Blanc.