Top vineyards include: Les Monts Damnés, La Grande Côte, Le Cul de Beaujeu, Grand (and Petit) Chemarin, Chêne Marchand Find out moreĪn important white grape in Bordeaux and the Loire Valley that has now found fame in New Zealand and now Chile. Recommended producers: François Cotat, André Dezat, David Sautereau Sancerre Rouge is also made from Pinot Noir, the quality of which is often compromised by bleeding some of the juice to make rosé – Vincent Pinard is a master nonetheless. Kimmeridgean clay crops up less consistently than in Pouilly-Fumé and since most Sancerre, bar the single-vineyard wines, are a blend of soils the result is a richer, fuller and fleshier Sauvignon Blanc.Īs with Pouilly-Fumé, an increasing number of (single-vineyard) wines are being raised in French oak, mostly 500-litre and demi-muids little surprise in light of naturally higher alcohol levels due to global warming. While Pouilly-Fumé's vineyards are tightly clustered and homogeneous, Sancerre's 14 communes (including the great villages of Chavignol, Bué, Verdigny, Amigny and Ménétréol) are widely dispersed, covering nearly 3,000 hectares over vertiginous valleys at up to 350 metres above sea level, and three distinct soil types: silex, a white flint found around Sancerre and Ménétréol in particular, giving perfume and a fine structure terres blanches, a calcareous clay soil that whitens as it dries (widely distributed), delivering a full, fruity richness and caillottes, a Portlandian soil brimming with large limestones imparting both power and verve – as found in Sancerre, Chavignol and Bué.Ī fourth soil type, griottes, tightly-packed with small limestones, has also been identified – as found near the village of Vosges. Sancerre is a famous white Sauvignon Blancanc appellation located on the left bank of the Loire, across from Pouilly-Fumé. Ultimately, the philosophy of this musical vigneron can be summed up with his own statement that ‘… good wine is made to bring happiness…’. His aim is to produce a natural wine, true to its origins, with a fine aromatic profile.įor example, for his Sancerre Blanc he carefully selects yeasts that will not influence the natural aromas of wine, so the mineral expression and the character of the grape variety are not disguised. In the winery, he seeks to constantly maintain and improve his facilities. In the vineyard he employs the principles of lutte raisonnée, utilising organic products where and when possible and allowing grass to grow between the vines on the slopes. They farm 40 different vineyard parcels in total.ĭaniel Chotard believes the terroir here is crucial in defining his wines. In total, the area under vines is 15 hectares, 80% of which is planted with Sauvignon Blanc, with the remaining 20% being Pinot Noir. The domaine’s vines are situated on limestone slopes in the south-west of the region at Reigny near Crezancy-en-Sancerre, in Loire. There have been vignerons in the Chotard family since 1789, but it was in 1992 that Daniel Chotard resumed work at the domaine. It's definitely solid but we're not head over heels for it at this price.When not organising music concerts or playing jazz piano and guitar in his own band, or fulfilling his obligations as the current president of the BIVC (Bureau Interprofessionnel des Vins du Centre), Daniel Chotard makes some wine. It ends dry and long with lingering honey-tinged fruit notes. It also features a soft, round mouthfeel and good minerality although it could use a bit more acidity. It combines more citrus notes plus melon, peach and a little tropical fruit in the mouth. Taking a sip reveals a tasty Sauvignon Blanc that is a nice example of this region. The 2019 Kirkland Signature Sancerre opens with a pleasing aroma of lemongrass, a little orange and lemon zest plus some other citrusy notes. As such, when we found this Kirkland Signature bottling for under $20, we snapped it up. Pairing: Seafoos, white meat and goat cheese.Īs we noted in our recent Sancerre Insider Deal, this tiny region in Loire Valley is home to some of the best (and most expensive) Sauvignon Blanc in the world. Palate: Concentrated and refreshing with minerality and a fruity finish. Grapes are grown on the three terroirs found in Sancerre - chalk, flint, clay-limestone - each adding a degree of complexity.Īroma: Lemon and ripe citrus mixed with peach and white fruit. Kirkland Signature Sancerre is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the most famous appellation of the Loire Valley of France.
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