Sancerre

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The vineyard extends across hillside sites planted between 180 and 350 metres in altitude, with slopes that can in places exceed 50%, spread across 14 communes of the Cher.
• A system of north–south-oriented faults, including the Sancerre and Thauvenay faults, brings subsided Cretaceous and Eocene strata into contact with Jurassic formations.
• The marls known as terres blanches, derived from the Kimmeridgian and recognisable by their small comma-shaped oyster shells, are found mainly on the steepest slopes.
• The degraded oceanic climate is tempered by a foehn effect produced by the Pays Fort massif, with rainfall of around 650 mm compared with more than 750 mm on that massif, which peaks at 435 metres.
• The Loire acts as a thermal regulator by draining cold air from the perpendicular viticultural valleys, moderating temperatures throughout the vine's vegetative cycle.

• Following the phylloxera crisis, the vineyard was gradually replanted with Sauvignon for the white wines and Pinot noir for the red and rosé wines.
• A ruling handed down on 20 July 1931 reserved the use of the name 'Sancerre' for wines produced from Sauvignon and Pinot noir in the communes of the geographic zone, before the appellation d'origine contrôlée was officially recognised on 14 November 1936.

• The white wines often display a pale gold appearance and an aromatic range spanning fruity notes of citrus and exotic fruit through to floral notes of white flowers.
• The red wines show variable depth of colour, aromas generally dominated by red fruits, and a supple, elegant tannic structure combining power and finesse.
• The wines can be enjoyed young (one to three years), though certain vintages have good ageing potential.

• The combination of the degraded oceanic climate, shelter from south-westerly winds, the Loire's thermal-regulating role, and the steep slopes creates favourable pedoclimatic conditions for Sauvignon and Pinot noir.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in France

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF) — approved 25 août 2011, JORF 27 août 2011
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — BIVC — Vins du Centre-Loire