Sancerre Wine Region

The whole world has been admiring the wines of the Sancerre wine region for decades. Perhaps this is the only French region in which a whole palette of interesting wines is made in a variety of styles and from only a small number of grape varieties. Among connoisseurs of Sauvignon Blanc, Sancerre is considered the quintessence of the refined and mineral style of the variety. Let's look at the characteristics of the trendsetting appellation.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Sancerre!

Where is the Sancerre Wine Region?

The appellation, which is called Sancerre, consists of the village of Sancerre itself and 14 arrondissements located on the left bank of the Loire, from Montigny in the south to Bannay in the north. The vineyards of the appellation occupy about 2,800 hectares. 

The History of Sancerre Wine Appellation

Sancerre vineyards date back to Roman times, as well as those of every great wine region. A port called Gorton was created on the banks of the Loire, near the location of the contemporary commune of San Thibault, from which local wines and other goods could be easily shipped to all corners of the territory.

Monks were active in winemaking in the region during the Middle Ages, as they were in other parts of Europe. The Augustinians from the Abbey of Saint-Satur were possibly the first to plant Burgundy Pinot noir here in the sixteenth century. Sancerre was mostly a red wine region before the phylloxera outbreak in the nineteenth century. Pinot noir and Gamay were grown here, along with a little amount of Chasselas blanc. When it came to vineyard restoration, however, a disease-resistant Sauvignon blanc was chosen.

Sancerre was one of the first French regions to gain AOC recognition in 1936, but exclusively for its white wines. The Reds were finally recognized in 1959, after a long period of obscurity.

Unique Terroir of Sancerre appellation

The exceptional Sancerre soil plays one of the main roles in shaping the taste of the region's wines. Almost 40% of the vineyards are located on calcareous soils in the western part of the region. Many of them are on the slopes, which are called "white lands", considered the best, both for growing Sauvignon blanc and pinot noir. In the east of Sancerre, siliceous areas have made the "powder" tone and recognizable minerality in wines their distinctive feature and also gave them a pleasant acidity. The remaining soils consist of pebbles or calcareous pebbles. 

Wine Characteristics of Sancerre Wine

Sancerre, known for its pale hue and dry profile, is primarily made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety. Contrary to many white wines, Sancerre wines typically have lower sugar content, with approximately 4 to 8 grams of sugar per liter. This reduced sugar level gives Sancerre a distinctly dry character, distinguishing it from other sweet white wines. Its crisp acidity, coupled with subtle fruit and mineral flavors, contribute to a well-rounded taste that is far from sweet, making Sancerre a popular choice among dry white wine enthusiasts.

Sancerre wine has been praised by wine connoisseurs all over the world. The uniqueness stems from the fact that just a few grape types are grown in the Sancerre region. Pinot Noir and Gamay are used to make red and rose wines, and Sauvignon Blanc is used to making white wines. There is nothing in the composition that is "superfluous."

The predominant variety of the Sancerre grape is Sauvignon Blanc, which is a popular choice among wine enthusiasts. It is said to have arrived in the Loire from the southwest of France. And, while he frequently meets in an assemblage with Semillon at home, he performs solo in the Central Loire. Sauvignon produces bright, acidic wines with notes of lemon, gooseberry, freshly cut grass, and black currant leaf when grown in a cool area. It can have a subtle smoky note, which is why it's also known as "fumé blanc" from the French fumé, which means "smoky". 

To avoid overshadowing its fruity flavor with a barrel, Sauvignon blanc is usually not matured in wood. Some winemakers, on the other hand, continue to experiment with aging, resulting in complex wines with aromas of tropical fruits and sweet spices.

Sancerre red wines and exquisite rose wines are mostly made from Pinot Noir. It arrived in the Loire from Burgundy and established itself in Sancerre, where it now accounts for roughly 20% of landings. The aromas of strawberries, raspberries, cherries, and subtle spice overtones identify Pinot noir. It's a fruit with a touch of acidity and a lot of gentle tannins. Sancerre's mild climate produces outstanding red wines that do not require extended maturing and are best enjoyed between the ages of 2 and 5.

Sancerre wine tasting will give you an exquisite sample of the region's wines while also introducing you to a world of cutting-edge winemaking.

Food to Pair with Sancerre wine

Meunière

The term à la meunière refers to a French cooking technique in which a whole fish or fish filets are delicately dusted in flour before being sautéed in butter. Typically, meunière dishes are cooked with white flesh fish and garnished with lemon juice and parsley, but the technique may be readily modified by swapping out the primary ingredients or adding extra ingredients like capers or almonds.

Bisque

Bisque is a smooth, creamy, well-seasoned French soup that is traditionally made with a strained crustacean broth (coulis). Lobster, langoustine, crab, shrimp, and crayfish can all be used to make this meal. Bisque, like chowder, is a popular shellfish soup that pairs well with Sancerre wines.

Fourme de Montbrison

In the Loire and Puy-de-Dôme regions of France, Fourme de Montbrison is an unpressed and salty soft cheese made from cow's milk. Blue moldy veins run throughout the body, with a mellow, rustic flavor evocative of mushrooms and almonds and a creamy, firm texture.

If you are lucky enough to find it, pair it with half-dry white wines because it is not widely produced due to its cousin, Fourme D'Ambert, outshining it.

Places to visit in Sancerre Wine Appellation

Picturesque village Sancerre

Sancerre is a lovely village where the main enjoyment is simply strolling around the gorgeous streets of the old town, which are surrounded with preserved old houses. Begin your stay at the Sancerre tourism office on the Esplanade Porte César to learn about the village's many wine-related activities.

The town sprang up around a medieval castle that was once one of the region's most prominent chateaux but was partly devastated in the early 17th century. The castle keep, known as the Tour des Fiefs, can still be seen from the top of the hill above the village.

Aubigny-sur-Nere, a French Town in Bloom

Aubigny-sur-Nere is located in the Loire Valley's eastern area, north of Bourges and south-east of Orléans. It is the 4th town in bloom (ville fleurie), a prestigious designation especially for a small town, thanks to its wonderfully maintained public gardens and various planted areas throughout the town. The Parc de la Duchesse de Portsmouth (also known as the Parc des Grands-Jardins) is a vast park that was formerly the park surrounding the town castle and today features a diverse mix of trees as well as traditional English and French-style gardens. When Aubigny has its weekly market on Saturday mornings, it's an excellent time to go.

Briare, a Little Town with Lovely Waterfronts

Briare  is located on the banks of the Loire River, which is bridged here by the Canal de Briare, and the primary attractions in the town are activities on and around the waterfronts.

Begin your journey to Briare at the Port de Plaisance leisure port, where you can take a relaxing stroll along the shoreline while viewing the scenery and pleasure boats lining the water's edge – the greatest view of the delight port is from the Henry IV bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sancerre Wine Appellation