Day 7 | Sancerre AOC
The Benchmark for Dry Sauvignon Blanc
Perched on the eastern edge of the Loire, Sancerre’s rolling hills of Kimmeridgian limestone, flint, and clay‑limestone marls turn Sauvignon Blanc into a wine of crackling citrus, chalk, and smoke. Cool Atlantic breezes funnel up the river valley, preserving razor acidity, while south‑facing slopes coax ripeness without tropical excess (we are looking at you, NZ Sauvignon Blanc). This yields the crisp, mineral style that defines dry Sauvignon worldwide.
What You’ll Taste
Primary Notes – Grapefruit, lemon zest, green apple, and white blossom.
Acidity – Struck‑flint smokiness and mouth‑watering, high acidity.
Texture / Finish – Bone‑dry, medium (-) body with a clean, saline finish.
Terroir & Winemaking Deep Dive
Sancerre’s vineyards sit between 200 and 400 metres on three main soil types. Terres blanches (Kimmeridgian limestone–clay) lend weight and a chalky texture. Caillottes (pure limestone pebbles) give lifted aromatics and brisk acidity. Silex (flint) contributes smoky nuances and firm structure.
Grapes are machine‑harvested at night or hand‑picked at dawn to lock in volatile thiols. Fermentation runs cool in stainless or concrete. Leading estates incorporate a small share fermented in neutral oak or large foudres for texture. Lees aging of three to six months adds mid‑palate.
Malolactic is generally blocked to preserve the hallmark acidity. The resulting wine balances citrus with a stone. The wines end up built to drink young yet are capable of developing honeyed complexity after five years.
Producers to Visit
Domaine Vacheron – Biodynamic. Silex parcels show flinty drive and long, saline finish.
Alphonse Mellot – “La Moussière” offers ripe citrus layered over chalk‑dust texture.
Pascal Jolivet – Minimal intervention producer. Pure grapefruit, white flowers, and high high acidity.
Travel Spotlight – Exploring Sancerre
Stay – Hôtel Panoramic Hilltop rooms overlooking vineyards and the Loire.
Dine – La Tour Local goat‑cheese crottins baked en croûte with herbs to pair with a glass of Sancerre.
Swirl – Loire River Path Rent an e‑bike, coast along the levee, and stop for a riverside picnic.
Quiz
How do the three dominant soil types (terres blanches, caillottes, and silex) shape differences in weight, aroma, and structure across Sancerre bottlings?