Sancerre

Sancerre is a famous Loire white Sauvignon Blanc appellation located on the left bank of the Loire, across from Pouilly-Fumé. 

While Pouilly-Fumé's vineyards are tightly clustered and homogeneous, Sancerre's fourteen communes (including the great villages of Chavignol, Bué, Verdigny, Amigny and Menetreol) are widely dispersed, covering nearly 3,000 ha over vertiginous valleys at up to 350 metres above sea level and three distinct soil types: `silex', a white flint found round Sancerre and Menetreol 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.

A fourth soil type, `griottes', tightly packed with small limestones, has also been identified, as found near the village of Vosges. 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, fleshier Sauvignon Blanc. 

As 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. 

Top vineyards include `Les Monts Damnés', `La Grande Côte', `Le Cul de Beaujeu', `Grand (and Petit) Chemarin', `Chene Marchand'. 

Recommended Producers
Leading producers include: François Cotat, Vincent Pinard, 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.