Sancerre

Vineyards and winemaking

The Sancerre vineyards are located in the Centre-Val de Loire region, mainly in the Cher département. The vineyard covers almost 3,000 ha, with around 360 estates. It is a hillside vineyard on the left bank of the Loire, on the edge of the Paris basin. Its position is therefore relatively good, which explains the quality of the wine. Exposure can vary widely, creating microclimates. This allows the grapes to develop a complex taste. The Sancerre region's hillsides shelter the vines from the wind, while the region's low rainfall shelters them from the rain. The grapes can therefore mature without being damaged. The soils of the Sancerre estates are predominantly limestone, allowing water and moisture to drain away easily. Sancerre Blanc is made exclusively from Sauvignon B grapes, while Sancerre Rosé and Sancerre Red are made from Pinot Noir grapes.

Colour, nose and bouquet

Sancerre blanc has a pale yellow color, slightly lighter than champagne. Red Sancerre, on the other hand, has a ruby-red color, while rosé has a grayish hue. White Sancerre offers tangy notes of orange and grapefruit, mixed with acacia and mint. Depending on the soil, the white may also have a touch of blackcurrant and narcissus. Red Sancerre, on the other hand, tends more towards red fruits, particularly cherry and morello cherry, with hints of venison. For added complexity, try red Sancerre wines from estates where vinification takes place in oak barrels. Finally, rosé wines offer sweet summer tastes, reminiscent of peach. Sancerre's limestone soils enable the wine to develop powerful, recognizable aromas that develop slowly on the palate. The stony soils produce lighter wines whose aromas develop more rapidly on the palate. Sancerre white wines are dry, yet fresh and round on the palate. Red wines, on the other hand, are much more balanced and full-bodied. Rosé is a dry wine that remains full-bodied and balanced thanks to its sweet notes. Whether white, red or rosé, Sancerre wines can be enjoyed young, after one to three years of maturation. However, they can also become very good vintages. Sancerre also offers "millennium vintages", dating from 1959 and 1989. In general, the best Sancerre years are 1959, 1976, 1989, 1990, 1995 and 2005.

Sancerre in gastronomy

Depending on color, Sancerre wines can be matched to different dishes. White Sancerre goes perfectly with fromage frais, especially goat's or sheep's cheese. To stay with the AOCs of the Centre-Val de Loire region, crottin de Chavignol goes very well with this type of wine. Sancerre or Salers corks are also excellent choices. Fresh dishes such as fish, especially smoked salmon, and shellfish also go well with white Sancerre, as do spicy dishes or fish in sauce, such as pike. Red Sancerre is much better suited to main courses of poultry and red meat, as well as charcuterie.
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