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What Is The Best Sancerre Wine

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Where Does Sancerre Come From

Drink More Sancerre | The World’s Best Sauvignon Blanc

Wine from Sancerre France comes from the appellation of the same name in the eastern part of the Loire Valley, which itself starts in Frances west coast and works itself toward the center. The Sancerre wine map looks like a collage of vineyards scattered around the appellation, each of which tries to take full advantage of the unique geology of their particular patch of the region.

Despite Eye Rolls Good Sancerres Rise Above The Sniping

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By Eric Asimov

  • May 23, 2019

A small group of ubiquitous wines occupies the paradoxical territory of being well known, highly popular and often reviled.

Mostly, these are wines in which the name of the grape or the appellation have become so pervasive as to essentially become brand names. You know them well: pinot grigio, chardonnay, Prosecco, Sancerre, just to name a few.

People enjoy these wines, of course, but more than that, they know them in a way that does not require thinking or consideration. For many, an awareness of these wines defuses the hideous, anxiety-soaked ritual of pondering a wine list and making a decision.

Rather than hazard the unknown by selecting a wine from an unfamiliar place, a consumer can choose a name that is safe. Ill just have the pinot grigio, please, one says, while breathing, thank you in silent relief.

Who can argue with this logic? Nobody should be made to feel anxious about wine.

The comfort that comes from spotting a pinot grigio or Sancerre on the list is exactly why these wines are so despised in some quarters, namely by the sommeliers who have worked so hard to put together exquisite bottles that will both flatter the food on the menu and reflect the ethos of the restaurant. Regardless, they know that Sancerre by the glass or bottle will become the most-ordered wine on the list.

That leaves Sancerre, a special case because the wines cannot be so easily dismissed, even though they are rarely objects of desire.

Does Wine Go Bad Unopened

Though unopened wine has a longer shelf life than opened wine, it can go bad. Unopened wine can be consumed past its printed expiration date if it smells and tastes OK. It’s important to remember that the shelf life of unopened wine depends on the type of wine, as well as how well it’s stored.13 Jan 2020

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What Is Sancerre And Where Does It Come From

Sancerre is a wine-producing appellation located on the eastern side of Frances Loire Valley, in northwestern France, and wines from this region are commonly called Sancerre as well. The region is best known for its crisp white wines, which are crafted entirely from sauvignon blanc. Although white wine accounts for approximately 80% of the regions production, small amounts of red wine are made in Sancerre, produced from 100% pinot noir. White wines from Sancerre are dry, light- to medium-bodied and dominated by flavors of citrus, flint, sea salt, honeysuckle and freshly cut herbs.

How To Pick The Best Sancerre Wine

Top Sancerre 2015 wines

Originally written for Decanter magazine in 2007 and updated in 2019.

Sancerre is easily the most spectacular and largest vineyard in the Loire. The steep rolling countryside with its arc of vineyards around the dominating hill of Sancerre is unique to the region. With one or two exceptions, vineyards elsewhere in the Loire are gently sloping. The area is justly famous for its aromatic Sauvignons, but is also capable of some delicious reds from Pinot Noir.

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Where Does The Wine From Sancerre Come From

Sancerre wine is best known today for its top-drawer Sauvignon Blanc, although this Loire Valley appellation also allows reds and rosés made from Pinot Noir. Where does Sancerre wine come from? Sancerre lies on the left bank of the Loire river and sits opposite another famed Sauvignon Blanc appellation, Pouilly-Fumé.

Best Value Sancerre Under 15

The small village of Sancerre in the Upper Loire Valley is renowned for its flint and limestone soils which help the Sauvignon Blancs here to gain a nervy, mineral character. Often regarded as a premium wine, there are examples that come in at a more wallet-friendly price. Scroll down to see our experts top picks.

No disrespect to New Zealand, South Africa or elsewhere, but Sancerre has something that sets it apart that the others can aspire to but cant achieve. As Chablis does with Chardonnay, said Andy Howard MW in Decanters September 2016 issue Sancerre panel tasting.

Sancerre has this really different approach to Sauvignon Blanc, which almost doesnt make it taste like Sauvignon Blanc, so Sancerre is the brand rather than the variety being the driving force.

Jim Budd emphasised this point: Sancerre sells itself, so you could almost understand producers sitting back and not striving to do better. There are Sancerre producers who rest on their laurels, but that isnt true for the appellations top names like Vincent Pinard, Henri Bourgeois, Alphonse Mellot, Vincent Delaporte and other young stars coming through, he said.

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The Geography And Terroir Of Sancerre Wine

Perched atop a bean-shaped hill overlooking the Loire River is the historical town of Sancerre. The surrounding viticultural area, which has adapted its name from the town, extends over 15 miles of hills on the Left Bank of the river, right across from the Pouilly Fumé appellation, towards the eastern edge of the Loire Valley wine region. The vineyards included in the Sancerre appellation are actually closer to Burgundy’s Cote d’Or area than to other Loire appellations, like Touraine and Anjou. This results in several similarities in terroir, which ultimately translates into similarities in wine style as well. A significant distance of over 300 miles between Sancerre and the Atlantic Coast gives the former a continental climate rather than the more maritime climate enjoyed by the other Loire Valley appellations. This results in short and very hot summers and long, cold winters, often with risk of frost in the spring. The best vines in Sancerre tend to be planted on south-facing slopes, at elevations of 655 to 1300 feet. While the classic white Sancerre is known for a bracing acidity, pungent gooseberry aromas and minerality, wines produced from the warmer west-facing vineyards planted in chalky soils tend to offer more citrus peel and passionfruit notes.

Ultimate Guide To The Terroir Of Sancerre Part One

The Origins of Sauvignon Blanc Inside Sancerre Wine & the Loire Valley of France

We are pleased to begin a new 4 part series on Sancerre. We will be diving deep into the main terroirs of this classic region. Sancerre is a consumer favorite, certainly, but very few people know the rich history and stunning geography of this famous region.

In todays post, Part One, we will introduce you to the Sancerre we know and love, and prepare you for a deep dive on three stunningly individual terroirs.

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An Introduction To The Best Sancerre Wines And Wineries To Drink At Home

In Short:

What is Sancerre and why is it so popular?Love Sauvignon Blanc? Youll love Sancerre, which is made in Frances Loire Valley. While you can find delicious red and rosé wines from the Sancerre region, too, the most celebrated wines are whites all made from this popular grape. Thanks to the cool climate, these whites are characteristically crisp and mineral, with aromas of citrus and flint. Most are unoaked, so are light and refreshing to drink on their own or with food. The majority are best enjoyed shortly after purchase. There are many excellent producers of Sancerre wines, but three must-trys are:

Domaine Jean-Max Roger

La Cte Des Monts Damns

Jean-Marc Bourgeois is the grandson of Chavignol’s most famous vigneron, Henri Bourgeois, but he chose to work in the kitchen rather than vineyard, cooking with some of France’s top chefs before returning home to transform La Côte des Monts Damnés into the smartest place to stay in the Sancerrois. The hotel also boasts a gourmet restaurant and down-to-earth bistrot packed each lunchtime with winemakers and tourists tucking into local favourites such as coq au vin and a hearty andouillette with frites maison. The rooms are elegantly furnished, some looking out over steep vine-covered slopes and Jean-Marc often organises for guests to visit the cellars of winemakers. Surprisingly, he does not push his own family’s vintages that much but wants visitors to explore vineyards all over the region not just Sancerre and Chavignol so he promotes a different “wine of the week” at virtually the same cost as from the estate. Chavignol, +33 2 4854 0172, montsdamnes.com. Doubles from 97, breakfast not included

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In Many Ways Wine Fame Works A Lot Like Celebrities A Listers Like Tom Hanks And Jennifer Aniston Are Known Around The World Then At The Other End Of The Spectrum Youve Got Your Towie Cast Who Arent Particularly Recognised Well Anywhere In Terms Of Wine A Listers Sancerre Has To Be Up There

Sancerre is known for being quite an expensive wine and we wondered whether supermarkets would cut it at that level or not. Despite buying them from leading supermarkets all of the wines were still quite expensive, the most of which being £17 a bottle. At that price you are certainly encroaching on independent online wine shop territory, but is it as good?

Best California Red: Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Best value Sancerre wines

Region: Napa Valley, California | ABV: 14.1% | Tasting Notes: Blackberry, Brown spices, Vanilla bean

Today, thanks to co-owner Peter Mondavi Jr.’s leadership, Charles Krug winery is a pillar of Napa Valley. With longtime winemaker Stacy Clark at the helm, the wines are utterly delightful, classically structured and decidedly age-worthy.

I try to find off-the-beaten-path producers who inspire me with a story and passion. … Of course, one shouldnt ignore the classics however, there are too many great wines in this world to stop exploring past the point of comfort. Alexandra Neverov, Sommelier, Topping Rose House

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The Best Years For Sancerre

Recent years have been good for Sancerre 2017 through 2015. Theyve all produced impressive bottles with complex and full flavors.

2016 was particularly good for Sancerre, these vintages have high acidity

2015 was the first really stellar year since 2010. The growing season was hot and dry, so the grapes ripened well.

Further back, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2002 all had consistent growing seasons that produced pure wines with signature bright acidity.

In general, more floral wines should be enjoyed around 3-5 years after bottling. While fruit heavy Sancerre can be enjoyed as long as 10 years after the vintage!

However, there are some entry level Sancerres made from combinations of vineyards and soils. These can be consumed more quickly and give you a good head start in understanding the complexities of Sancerre!

Location Of Sancerre In The Loire Valley

If you traveled to Sancerre, youd feel you were in an iconic French village. It is located smack-dab in the center of France and has a long history of French patriotism.

A number of resistance groups have taken up residence over the centuries. Religious rebels during the Protest reformation, royalist rebels during the French Revolution, and even the French Resistance during the German occupation in WWIIall fled to and set up command in Sancerre!

But since those days, Sancerre has experienced a change of its own.

The region originally grew Burgundy wines like Pinot Noir and Gamay. Unfortunately, in the 1800s those vines were destroyed by an insect invasion, Phylloxera.

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How Is Sancerre Made

As with wines from all regions, Sancerre wines are vinified in a variety of styles, and their final flavor profile depends on where exactly the fruit was grown, how it was vinified and in what type of vessel it was aged. Many winemakers in Sancerre choose to vinify and age their wines in stainless steel and without malolactic fermentation, so as to preserve the wines natural fruit-forwardness and freshness, although barrel-aged Sancerres do exist.

Sancerre winemakers often practice sur-lie aging, which allows the wine to rest on its yeast cells during the aging process. This process adds texture and weight to the wine without imparting external flavors .

What Makes Sancerre So Special

Sancerre: the best Sauvignon Blanc in the World

This is a region of unique and exceptional terroir, which from a geological perspective can be loosely broken into three parts: Oxfordian limestone, which is sometimes referred to as caillottes or griottes Kimmeridgian limestone and silex, better known here as flint. Each of these soils seem to have a pretty significant impact on the taste of the wine, although such generalizations are far from perfectly reliable. We will dive deeper into these soil types in the coming posts.

Since Sancerre has a fairly homogeneous climate and, like most of Burgundy, uses just one grape for its reds and one for whites, it’s a perfect region for discovering the effects of geology on a wine’s taste. To get to know Sancerre intimately is to have had a crash course in terroir itself.

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Which Foods Should I Pair With Sancerre

The lightning-like acidity and citrus-driven nature of Sancerre wines make them perfect for serving with a variety of happy-hour snacks, including fresh seafood, cheese boards and crudité platters. Additionally, Sancerre wines often pair well with many spicy Asian dishes, provided that the alcohol level in the wine isnt too high.

These are five bottles to try.

Lauverjat Moulin Des Vrillres Sancerre 2017

Grapes for this wine are grown on 30-year-old vines planted in a mix of limestone and clay soils. Like the Domaine de La Perrière, this wine gains a rich texture from 90 days of lees contact. White flowers and gooseberries are predominant aromas, and green fruit and white pepper linger on the palate, providing a crisp, lasting finish. Tasters enjoyed this wines concentrated flavor and complex mineral texture. Average Price: $24.

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What Is A Good Sancerre

The Best Sancerre Under $50

  • Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Jadis | Vivino.
  • Pascal Jolivet Sancerre Le Chene Marchand | Vivino.
  • Domaine Bernard Fleuriet & Fils Tradition Sancerre | Vivino.
  • Philippe Raimbault Les Fossiles Sancerre | Vivino.
  • Lucien Crochet Sancerre Blanc | Vivino.
  • Domaine du Nozay Sancerre Blanc | Vivino.

Crisp Wines Full Of Aroma

Sancerre Wine

The wines of Sancerre AOC have a great diversity reflecting the wide variety of soil types that welcome the vines. The white earth wines develop with age but offer opulent aromas from their youth. The white wines produced there are of good quality and have a good reputation. The wines from the coats and gravestones are generally fine, tender, and fruity, with white peach and linden aroma. Depending on the vintage, the reds can be exciting and also good.

A part of the important features of Sancerre appellation for white wines are as follows:

  • Soil: Clay-limestone.
  • Aging potential: 1 â 6 years.
  • Serving temperature: 10 to 12° C

A part of the important features of Sancerre appellation for red wines are as follows:

  • Soil: Clay-limestone.
  • Aging potential: 1 â 8 years.
  • Serving temperature: 14 to 16° C

A part of the important features of Sancerre appellation for rose wines are as follows:

  • Soil: Clay-limestone.
  • Aging potential: 1 â 6 years.
  • Serving temperature: 9 to 11° C

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What Does Sancerre Pair With

The acidity in Sancerre allows it to cut through rich sauces, as well as butter and cream. It does well alongside white meats like pork, chicken, and veal, and pasta is excellent with it, as long as there’s no tomato sauce. Fresh fish and seafood are also excellent options. Sancerre and oysters are a classic combination in France. Sancerre even pairs well with certain vegetable- and seafood-based dishes from Vietnam and Thailand. Sommeliers often say that if there is Sancerre wine near me, then theres likely to be great food, too. We agree with that logic.

Browse our full selection of Sancerre wine online or check out our selection of highly-rated Sancerre wine for a great new Sancerre wine to try this week!

Phylloxera Infection On A Grapevine

Phylloxera is an insect that sucks sap from the roots and leaves of grapevines. This causes damage that leaves the vine open to infection. And slowly starves the plant of water and nutrients. There is no cure or pesticide that stops them.

Entire plantations were destroyed and had to be replanted. Since the climate and terroir werent particularly favorable for Burgundy vines, to begin with, producers decided to replant with a more favorable grape instead.

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What Are Popular Brands Of Sancerre

Whether youre looking for the best Sancerre wine 2018, Sancerre wine 2017, or any other vintage, there are countless options at a range of price points that are worth seeking out. Some of the most popular are La Moussière Sancerre, François Cotat, Langlois Château, Patient Cottat, Henri Bourgeois Sancerre, Le Pré Vaujour, Salmon Sancerre, Reverdy la Reine Sancerre, Domaine Fournier, Alphonse Mellot, and Dom Millet, among others.

What Is Loire Valley Wine

Why Sancerre Isnt the Best Pairing for Thanksgiving Dinner

The Loire is the longest river in France, covering 625 miles from its source in the mountains of the Massif Central to Saint-Nazaire on the wild Atlantic coast. Known as the garden of France, its dreamy, bucolic valley is dotted with hundreds of turreted châteaux, dating from the late 15th century when the royal court was based here, as well as thousands of vineyards producing great-value wines.

Crisp muscadet whites are made from the melon de bourgogne grape and are dream matches for the oysters and other seafood found on the nearby Atlantic coast, while sauvignon blanc is used in the classy dry wines from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé at the eastern end of the valley, and in the central Touraine region where better value is often found.

Sancerres whites are famed for the finesse and purity of their elderflower and grassy notes, as well as their racy minerality that comes from the limestone and flinty soils found in the area. Land is expensive here, hence the more hefty price tags, but a good sauv blanc from Sancerre is really hard to beat, especially if its matched with goats cheese or grilled asparagus.

When it comes to reds, trendy cabernet franc is the star attraction, medium-bodied and prettily perfumed, with crunchy berry fruits given structure by an energetic minerality rather than by burly tannins. Pinot noir and gamay also appear, soft and whispery, and lovely for spring drinking, especially if slightly chilled.

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