The warm weather is upon us and it’s time to reach for something refreshing to sip while sitting on the deck and watching the day wind down. Sure, a rosé is always nice, but Sancerre is one of our go-to summer wines. Light, refreshing, great as an aperitif, and its pairs perfectly with Sushi, many cheeses, and a variety of entrees. What’s not to like?
- We’ve moved to the Wine Concepts summer headquarters in Pinehurst, North Carolina, to escape Austin’s 100+ degree summer days. Yep, we’re heat wimps. Plus, we get to watch some pretty hilarious golf shots from our back deck while quaffing our Sancerre and munching cheese and crackers.
Sancerre is located near the eastern end of the Loire Valley, and its white wines are made from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc. The French, of course, assume that you will know all that if you see the name Sancerre on the label. Somehow the American mind just doesn’t work that way. Anyway, in the right hands, Sancerre produces some of the world’s finest Sauvignon Blanc. Picking a quality producer is key, however, because some producers prioritize quantity over quality.
- Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre has a distinctive style. It’s not blended with other grapes (like Bordeaux), has relatively low alcohol, and rarely sees oak. It’s also less bold than typical New Zealand versions.
- Sancerre also produces a small amount of pale, light Pinot Noir, but only small quantities are exported.
Sancerre is very food friendly. It has a refreshing acidity, which makes you want to have another bite of food, which leads to another sip of wine . . . It’s stellar with shellfish, white meats, and light poultry. It pairs well with vegetable dishes like eggplant and zucchini. It’s one of the few wines that works well with asparagus and salads with vinaigrette dressing. And it works well with a variety of cheeses, including Feta, Fontana, Jarlsberg, and any type of goat cheese.
Our featured wine is a 2022 Domaine Delaporte Chavignol (about $35 – 40 retail). It’s 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc using grapes from Delaporte’s vineyards in the village of Chavignol. The wine is fermented in stainless steel, and it spends six months on its lees (dead yeast cells that impart a creamy richness to the wine). This light gold colored wine has aromas of pear, stone fruit, and honeysuckle. On the palate, it has a distinct minerality, notes of pear and citrus, a touch of tropical fruit, and a refreshing, mouthwatering acidity. It has a pleasant, medium length finish, and a relatively low 13 percent alcohol level.
- This wine lived up to our expectations. We rated it as very good+ and perfect for a summer evening.
- You’ll want to serve this wine a little chilled, about 50 – 55 degrees. It’s not a wine to cellar, as it peaks in about five years.
- Other good Sancerre producers include Pascal Jolivet, F. Cotat, Vacheron, Alphonse Mellot, and Dagueneau.
Cheers!