We’re Not in Kansas Anymore: Anjou, 2026. Chenin Blanc
This is the first of five sets of tasting notes to be published in this extensive review on all things vinous in Anjou in 2026. To read my introduction to these reports, with detail on how Anjou got where it is today, see my introductory essay We’re Not in Kansas Anymore.
In this instalment I include 91 new tasting notes on Chenin Blanc from the Anjou region, either in the Anjou appellation, or in Vin de France.
The other principal instalment (yet to be published) will cover the wines of Savennières (including Coulée de Serrant and Savennières Roche-aux-Moines); in combination these two reports will present close to 200 new tasting notes on Chenin Blanc from this region.
Of course there is more to Anjou than these two appellations. There are three further instalments, one an extensive look at recent releases in red from this region, again in the Anjou appellation or Vin de France, followed by a smaller instalment featuring the region’s sparkling wines, mostly Crémant de Loire. And I cannot publish an account of the most recent wines from Anjou without looking at a decent selection of sweet wines, and so the final instalment will feature my newest tasting notes on wines from Coteaux de l’Aubance, Coteaux du Layon, Quarts de Chaume and Bonnezeaux.
I have already given a brief account of the most recent vintages in my introduction to those series of reports, so I will keep this brief. Given the large numbers of tasting notes presented I thought the most useful preamble would be to pick out the wines which most deserve your time. So here goes with a handful of favourites, along with my one to intrigue you and one to watch.
A Handful of Favourites
I settled on four favourites from three domaines I know well. Two, referring back to my introduction, relate to the second wave of Anjou’s recovery, as the region forged a new reputation. One relates to the first wave, although with control passing to a younger generation, and a refashioning of the range to meet modern demands, arguably it represents both waves.
Please log in to continue reading: