Sharing the love of the Loire Valley’s Sancerre and explaining to unsuspecting wine tasters that the grape involved is Sauvignon Blanc may just be one of my favorite things to do! There is always that surprise factor (an ah-ha! moment) since many consumers assume that the flavor profile is always high citrus with grapefruit tastes predominant. Not so in these wines profiled below. Expressing the terroir of this beautiful area of France is one of the hallmarks of a delicious, mouthwatering Sancerre.
Wines from Sancerre AC make some of the most wonderful dry white wines of the Loire Valley. And the terroir? Vineyards on chalky, well-drained stony soils which are rich in marine fossils (not unlike the soil in neighboring Chablis) and located in over fifteen villages each with its special characteristics to the land. A stretch of vineyards on more flint like soil run along the river and lie on the slopes of low hills which face southeast and southwest. The famous Kimmeridgian limestone is unique to the area of Sancerre and the best sites are reserved for Sauvignon Blanc yet you can find some Pinot Noir and Rose wines produced.
Recently I had the opportunity to taste two white wines from Sancerre so that I could participate in the weekly #winestudio chat on Twitter. Sent to me as samples by Protocol Wine Studio and Le Metro Wine Underground were wines from different vineyards and were indicative of the terroir.
**Henri Bourgeois 2011 Sancerre Grande Reserve – This was an exquisitely sleek wine from the Henri Boureois vineyards of Les Baronnes in chalky, clay soils. Aromas of lemons, lemon grass, citrus, lime peel, and minerality burst from the glass. A racy acidity with bright citrus, lemon, minerality, and yes, a touch of grapefruit pleased my palate…as well as those of other Twitter tasters! Well balanced with body and a lingering, lip-smacking finish, this wine pairs beautifully with oysters, crab, any other shellfish, ahi tuna, and more. I feel that the Henri Bourgeois shows characteristics typical of outstanding whites from the region. The affordable price point is around $21.
**Daniel Chotard 2011 Sancerre – Daniel Chotard farms the slopes of the village Crezancy-en-Sancerre where Kimmeridgian limestone is in the veins of the soil. From grapes grown using sustainable farming methods, Chotard harvests later than his neighbors resulting in less acidity to the fruit. The enticing aromas in this wine were of citrus, lemon, and crisp lime. I loved the creamy, buttery tastes of more fresh citrus, soft peach, minerality and a bit of orange blossom. Thanks to this wine ageing on the lees, this is full of complexity and body. But when you open the bottle, keep it simple…with a plate of raw oysters! Cost is a well-worth-it $26.
Treat yourself to a beautiful Sancerre and you’ll appreciate yet another wonderful, expressive Sauvignon Blanc in your glass!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
