About Chenin Blanc / Riesling
- Style
- White
- Grape Varieties
- Chenin Blanc, Riesling
- Price Range
- ¥9,000-10,000
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
Chenin Blanc / Riesling is Les Vins Vivants' flagship estate-grown white blend, made from Chenin Blanc (63%) and Riesling (37%) grown on trellised vines planted from 2016-2017 in Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture, part of the Chikuma River Wine Valley. Fermentation begins with wild yeast in stainless steel tanks using whole-bunch semi-carbonic maceration, incorporating grapes affected by noble rot; once fermentation is underway the must is pressed and finishes fermenting in barrel. The wine is then aged roughly nine months in stainless steel tanks followed by about five months in bottle, with no added sugar, no added acid, and no sulfites added. It is unfiltered and unfined, showing the honeyed texture of Chenin Blanc layered with Riesling's bright acidity and the light textural grip typical of the estate's low-intervention approach.
One of the clearest expressions of Les Vins Vivants' estate fruit — Chenin Blanc's textured richness and Riesling's precision meet in a wine that is unmistakably of this valley.
New to wine?
An approachable natural wine — Chenin Blanc's soft, honeyed texture balances Riesling's zip, so it never feels too sharp or too funky for a first try.
Food Pairings
A versatile food wine: its texture and gentle bitterness pair well with grilled white fish, roasted chicken, and dishes with a touch of citrus or herbs. The Riesling-driven acidity also cuts through richer, cream-based preparations.
When to drink it
Casual dinners, seafood-focused meals, and gatherings where a food-friendly natural white is welcome.
Terroir & Winemaking
Chenin Blanc (Cordon Double training, planted from 2017) and Riesling (Guyot Simple/Guyot Double training, planted from 2016) grown with minimal spraying (Bordeaux mixture for Chenin Blanc, herbal remedies for Riesling). Wild-yeast fermentation with whole-bunch semi-carbonic maceration including botrytis-affected fruit, pressed mid-fermentation and finished in barrel, then aged approx. 9 months in stainless steel and approx. 5 months in bottle. No added sugar, no added acid, no added sulfites, unfiltered, unfined.
About the producer
Les Vins VivantsHusband-and-wife natural wine and cider from Nagano's Tomi.東御市, 長野県 · Founded 2019Visit the producer page →Frequently Asked Questions
- What grapes are in Les Vins Vivants' Chenin Blanc / Riesling?
- It is a blend of Chenin Blanc (63%) and Riesling (37%), both estate-grown on trellised vines in Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture.
- Is this wine made with added sulfites?
- No. It ferments with indigenous wild yeast and is bottled with no added sulfites, no added sugar, and no added acid, in keeping with Les Vins Vivants' low-intervention philosophy.
- What food pairs well with this wine?
- Its texture and bright acidity make it a strong match for grilled white fish, roast chicken, and dishes with citrus or herbs, as well as richer cream-based dishes.
- How is the wine made?
- Grapes, including some affected by noble rot, undergo whole-bunch semi-carbonic maceration with wild yeast in stainless steel, are pressed once fermentation is underway, finish fermenting in barrel, then age about 9 months in stainless steel and 5 months in bottle before release, unfiltered and unfined.
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