4/26 PETIT WEEK IN WINE - Sancerre Only!

The Sancerre appellation is named after the village of the same name, but the appellation covers vineyards planted in 14 surrounding communities. So, although a Sancerre wine must come from the Sancerre region, it may not come from the village of Sancerre.

Sancerre is much more than just a dependable, delicious Loire Valley white wine. The Sancerre region makes many truly great terroir-driven wines that every wine-lover can enjoy. This week, you'll be delighted to learn that Sancerre isn't just about white wine, but included red wine and Rosé - both made from Pinot Noir!

So this week, dive a little deeper into Sancerre (the appellation!) with a $20 Tasting Flight that includes a Sancerre Rosé from Pinot Noir, two Sauvignon Blanc Sancerres, and a Pinot Noir Sancerre Rouge. Don't miss this opportunity to build upon your wine knowledge and master the most renowned region in the Loire Valley! I hope you join us at either location starting tomorrow, Thursday, April 27th and running through the weekend.

Read on for all the flight details, and our tasting room hours below.

Cheers and let's drink more Sancerre.

With much gratitude -

Mark

>> Weeknight Wine Spotlight:

If you'd like to be added to the new Weeknight Wine Spotlight list - please click here to let us know!

1- Is Sancerre a Wine, a Village, or an Appellation?

Sancerre is ALL three!

The Sancerre appellation is named after the village of the same name, but the appellation covers vineyards planted in 14 surrounding communities. So, although a Sancerre wine must come from the Sancerre region, it may not come from the village of Sancerre.  Lastly, Sancerre is also commonly associated with Sauvignon Blanc.

2- Why is Sancerre so popular?

First and foremost, Sancerre is popular because it tastes great!

Some of Sancerre’s popularity is down to the popularity of its grape, Sauvignon Blanc. Naturally crisp, with citrus overtones, Sauvignon Blanc overtook Chardonnay as the “glass of choice” among many casual wine drinkers years ago.

But there’s more to Sancerre than just a popular grape.

Much of Sancerre’s vinous consistency is owed to the Sancerre region’s ideal climatic conditions. Centered on the village of Sancerre in the Loire Valley’s Central Vineyards, the region enjoys a continental climate, not unlike Burgundy (Sancerre is actually closer to Burgundy than it is to most of the Loire’s other famous regions). This climate allows grapes to ripen with fully developed, complex flavors, while also preserving the acidity necessary to keep the wines feeling fresh and food friendly.

Sancerre also has the kinds of soils that make truly great wines possible, with a mix of limestones, flints, clays and gravels giving variety and character to the wines. Add in a combination of rolling and steeper hills, varied expositions, and devoted growers and winemakers, and you have a recipe for great wine.  

3- What makes Sancerre's soils special?

Sancerre is a region of unique and exceptional terroir which, from a geological perspective, can be loosely broken into three parts:

(a.) Silex: a clay with flint, which makes delineated and elegant wines that age well

(b.) Kimmeridgian limestone (terres blanche): a chalky soil made of ancient oyster fossils can be the most structured and take the longest to express themselves, but are delicious and full of personality;

(c.) Oxfordian limestone: comes in two main varieties, referred to as caillottes (a mix of limestone and gravel) and griottes (a mix of limestone and clay) tends to make the earliest-drinking Sancerre, often charmingly aromatic, floral and nuanced, but sometimes also deceptively deep and long-lived.

Each of these soils has significant impact on the taste of the wine, and Sancerre is a great region to develop your own understanding.

4- So Sancerre is only the Sauvignon Blanc varietal?

Not exactly... Sancerre has a surprising red wine background. Historically the region made much more red wine (from Gamay and Pinot Noir) than white. And in fact, Sauvignon Blanc wasn’t even the main white wine grape in the olden days; even though Sauvignon Blanc had been around for centuries, that honor went to Chasselas (mostly now limited to Pouilly-Sur-Loire).

But all that changed in the 19th century when Phylloxera wiped out all of the old vines. Local winemakers discovered they could defeat the disease by grafting their choice of French grape onto imported American rootstock (which was resistant to the pest). Faced with a clean slate and the chance to graft whatever they wanted onto the American rootstocks, the locals went by and large with Sauvignon Blanc.

There is still Pinot Noir planted in Sancerre today, and it makes some of France’s greatest rosés -- wines with depth and minerality as well as the joyful fresh fruit enjoyed by everyone. It also makes red wines that can be great value Pinot Noir alternatives to Red Burgundy, with a lightness and mineral/herbaceous freshness that balances the Pinot fruit.

5- Is There a Grand Cru Sancerre?

Unlike Burgundy, Sancerre's vineyards are not classified into qualitative categories. There are no grand cru, premier cru, or village rankings here. Of course, there are some particularly famous vineyards and, as in Burgundy, wines made exclusively from such sites can command higher prices. But you will never see a Sancerre labelled Grand or Premier Cru.

>> Tasting Flight Hours:

MYERS PARK:

4:30 - 7:30pm Thursday

4:30 - 6:00pm Friday

(Closing early for a Private Event @ 6pm!)

1:00 - 7:30pm Saturday 

SOUTH END: 

5:30 - 9:00pm Thursday - Friday

1:00 - 9:00pm Saturday

1:00 - 5:30pm Sunday

>> Tasting Flight Offerings:

Domaine Guéneau

Sancerre Rosé "Chavignolet" 2022

Sancerre, Loire Valley, FR

$32 btl/retail

SUMMARY: Transport yourself to the French countryside with Domaine Guéneau's Sancerre Rosé 'Chavignolet' 2022. Handcrafted with care by a family-owned winery dating back to the 19th century, this rosé is the perfect balance of tradition and innovation.

VARIETAL/WINEMAKING: Made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes grown in the clay-limestone soils of Sancerre, this wine is carefully vinified to preserve the delicate aromas and flavors of the fruit. The grapes are handpicked and sorted, then gently pressed to extract only the finest juice. The wine is fermented at low temperatures to preserve the fresh fruit character, and aged in stainless steel tanks for six months to enhance its complexity.

TASTING NOTE:  In the glass, the wine displays a pale salmon color with glimmers of pink. On the nose, aromas of fresh strawberries, raspberries, and citrus abound, complemented by subtle floral notes. On the palate, the wine is crisp and refreshing, with a lively acidity and a hint of minerality. The finish is long and satisfying, with a delicate fruitiness that lingers on the tongue. Whether you're enjoying it on a sunny day or pairing it with a light meal, this rosé is sure to impress.

PAIRING SUGGESTION: The bright acidity and fresh fruit flavors in this rosé make it a perfect complement to the sweet and smoky flavors of grilled shrimp skewers and/or grilled veggies.

Domaine Bailly-Reverdy

Sancerre Blanc "La Mercy Dieu" 2022

Sancerre, Loire Valley, FR

$34 btl/retail

SUMMARY: Domaine Bailly-Reverdy is situated in the village of Bué 5 km from Sancerre. The 2022 Sancerre Blanc shows expressive aromatics, a well structured palate, and a clean dry finish with some minerality.

VARIETAL/WINEMAKING: 100% Sauvignon Blanc from different plots located on the three types of soil of the “Sancerrois”: Marly, Flinty, Pebbly limestone.

TASTING NOTE: Appealing light yellow color with pale green highlights. A lovely complex nose of citrus fruits, flowers and minerality. The entry is fresh and clean, then well-structured with both roundness and liveliness. Dry finish with evident minerality given the limestone terroir.

PAIRING SUGGESTION: Pairs well with a cheese board that includes goat cheese as the tangy and creamy flavor compliments the crisp acidity and herbaceous notes of the Sancerre Blanc.

Domaine Reverdy-Ducroux

Sancerre 'Chêne Marchand'  2021

Sancerre, Loire Valley, FR

$38 btl/retail

SUMMARY: Transport your senses to the heart of the Loire Valley... This wine is crafted by the Reverdy family, who have been producing wines in the Sancerre region for generations. The wine reflects the family's commitment to traditional winemaking techniques.

VARIETAL/WINEMAKING: Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown in the Chêne Marchand vineyard, the grapes are handpicked and sorted, then fermented with natural yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged on its lees for several months, adding depth and complexity.

TASTING NOTE:  In the glass, Domaine Reverdy-Ducroux Sancerre 'Chêne Marchand' 2021 is a pale gold color with green highlights. The nose is fresh and lively, with aromas of citrus, green apple, and a hint of mineral. On the palate, the wine is crisp and refreshing, with flavors of lemon, grapefruit, and a touch of herbaceousness. The wine has a bright acidity, a silky texture, and a long, clean finish.  

PAIRING SUGGESTION: Quinoa salad with roasted vegetables and feta cheese: The earthy flavors of the roasted vegetables and the nutty taste of quinoa enhance the herbal and grassy notes in the Sauv Blanc, while the feta cheese adds a creamy texture to the dish.

Michel Vattan

Sancerre Rouge "B-C" 2019 

Sancerre, Loire Valley, FR

$29 btl/retail

SUMMARY: Less than 10% of the 9 ha of Domaine Michel Vattan are dedicated to Pinot Noir. Winemaker P. Joulin's Sancerre Rouge is a fruit forward wine with supple tannins and density thanks to his yield control and the grass cover between the vines.

VARIETAL/WINEMAKING: 100% Pinot Noir grown in Oxfordian limestone soils (“caillottes”) on vines that are 35 years old on average. Grass has been grown between the rows for the last 15 years. Aged at 50% in vat, 25% in new 500 Liters oak barrel and 25% in older oak barrel. 

TASTING NOTE: The nose opens with aromas of fresh red fruit and spice. After swirls the nose hints at notes of toasted wood. The palate is structure with a balance which comes with notes of cherry, and licorice. Tannins are supple at the finish.

PAIRING SUGGESTION: Mushroom risotto is a nice pairing as the earthy flavors in the dish match well with the earthy and herbal notes in this Sancerre Rogue, while the acidity helps to balance the creaminess of the dish.

We Will Have Your Order Ready for Pick-up at either Myers Park, or South End Store Locations!

 704.332.9910 (Myers Park) | 704.332.9913 (South End)

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