By: Wine Enthusiast
July 11, 2023
The white wines of Sancerre are a warm-weather favorite and drinking them is a perfect reason to dust off the patio furniture. Usually made with Sauvignon Blanc from France’s Loire Valley, these bottlings’ crisp minerality, high acidity and herbaceous notes pair beautifully with the culinary staples of spring and summer, like shellfish and green salads. And as Sauvignon Blanc explodes in popularity, interest in Sancerre is also on the rise. Here’s everything to know about it.
What Is Sancerre?
Sancerre is an appellation on the eastern edge of the Loire Valley in France. Although the region is known to produce red and rosé wines, Sancerre often refers to a type of dry white wine made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape. It’s the most popular white grape variety in the region.
The classic white Sancerre is loaded with bright acidity and crisp minerality, with the hallmark flavors of gooseberry, lemon and flint arising in most examples. Many also boast grassy and vegetal flavors.
Some are made entirely in stainless steel to keep the pristine, vibrant fruit flavors front and center. Yet, there are also richer styles of Sancerre that are aged in concrete or oak barrels, which add body, texture and lend potential for aging in the cellar. Sancerre tends to have a light to medium body, and can sometimes be blended with other varieties, most often Sémillon, to add complexity or body.
Where Is Sancerre Wine From?
The famous white wine comes from the Loire Valley, a winemaking region in the north of France, just southeast of Paris. Sancerre is directly across the Loire River from another popular AOC, Pouilly-Fumé.
Best Sancerre Wines to Try
Domaine Durand 2021 Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre)
Fresh and fruity with lively acidity, this wine shows a touch of minerality along with bright citrus flavors. Tension in the wine suggests it will soften and age. Drink from 2024.
90 Points —R.V.
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