The white grape variety originates from France. There are 80 synonyms that testify to its great age and widespread use. The main ones, grouped alphabetically by country, are Anjou, Blanc d'Anjou, Blanc d'Aunis, Blanc Emery, Bon Blanc, Capbreton Blanc, Chenin Bijeli, Confort, Cugnette, Cruchinet, Franc Blanc, Gamay Blanc, Gros Chenin, Gros Pineau, Gros Pineau de Vouvray, Pineau Blanc, Pineau d'Anjou, Pineau de Briollay, Pineu de la Loire, Pineau de Savennières, Pineau de Vouvray, Pineau Vert, Pinot de la Loire, Pinot Gros de Vouvray, Plant d'Anjou, Plant de Breze, Que Fort, Rajoulain, Ronchalin, Rouchalin, Rouchelin, Rouchelein, Rougelin, Rouxalin, Verdurant (France); Chenin Bijeli (Croatia); Chenin Beli (Slovenia); Agudelo, Agudillo, Blanco Legítimo (Spain); Steen, Vaalblaar Stein (South Africa); Fehér Chenin (Hungary); White Pinot (USA). It should not be confused with Albillo Real or Verdelho, despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities.
It is not a colour mutation of the red variety Pineau d'Aunis (Chenin Noir). According to DNA analyses last carried out in 2018, it comes from a presumably natural cross between Savagnin (Traminer) x unknown partner. Direct descendants through...