Don’t be in a rush to drink it
Most of us think of Sauvignon Blanc as an aromatic, early-drinking style, but Sancerre offers so much more.
Do as the growers do and wait a few years for the primary fruit characters to soften, revealing the complexities of the terroir.
The 2022 vintage is drinking beautifully right now.
Check out cuvées parcellaires
Small-batch wines from specific sites have proliferated in recent years, reflecting the appellation’s complex geology.
While there are no designated premiers crus in Sancerre, look out for wines from premium vineyard sites such as Monts Damnés, Cul de Beaujeu and Chêne Marchand.
The significance of silex
Following the success of the late Didier Dagueneau’s wine Silex, the name has almost become a brand in its own right, featuring on many Sancerre labels. ‘Silex’ is a reference to flint or silica.
These soil types make up a minority of the vineyard area in the region and produce wines said to possess a distinctive, powerful and smoky minerality.
It’s a great destination for wine lovers
One of the prettiest villages in France, Sancerre is perfect for a tasting trip. There are countless opportunities to visit and taste, often paired with a plate of the local goat’s cheese.
The vineyards are crisscrossed by a network of hiking paths and cycle trails for those wishing to get up close and personal with the vines.
Producer name is key
Sancerre sells at a premium these days, so it pays to seek out good producers.
Happily, there’s no shortage of winemaking talent, to be found at domaines Tabordet, Paul Prieur, Denizot, Claude Riffault and Jean-Philippe Agisson, to name a few.
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