Historically, Sancerre was an administrative centre linked to the Duchy of Burgundy, trading with the cities of Bourges and Orleans, which provided a market for Pinot Noir and Gamay wines. While mention of the Sancerre appellation, no doubt, conjures up images of crisp, smoky whites, did you know that this region used to produce more reds than whites? In fact, it was only in the past few decades after the Sancerre appellation was created in 1936 that Sauvignon Blanc gained fame in this area. The Varieties of Sancerre: Pinot Noir to Sauvignon Blanc, and Back Again This distinctive character is more evident in wines from the eastern vineyards, closer to the river. Around 20% of the region's terroir is dominated by a very special flint soil called silex, which gives many Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc wines a certain smoky, gunflint aroma and signature minerality. These are locally referred to as terres blanches and are considered some of the best terroirs of Sancerre. Around 40% of the vineyards are planted on chalky clay and limestone soils characterising the western part of the region. It is impossible to discuss the terroir of Sancerre, of course, without mentioning the signature soils forming the appellations unique terroir. Located only 50 miles southwest of the Burgundian appellation of Chablis, Sancerre shares the same outcropping of Kimmeridgian chalk soil to which the signature character of Chablis Chardonnay is often attributed. While the classic white Sancerre is known for a bracing acidity, pungent gooseberry aromas and minerality, wines produced from the warmer west-facing vineyards planted in chalky soils tend to offer more citrus peel and passionfruit notes. The best vines in Sancerre tend to be planted on south-facing slopes, at elevations of 655 to 1300 feet. This results in short and very hot summers and long, cold winters, often with risk of frost in the spring. This results in several similarities in terroir, which ultimately translates into similarities in wine style as well. A significant distance of over 300 miles between Sancerre and the Atlantic Coast gives the former a continental climate rather than the more maritime climate enjoyed by the other Loire Valley appellations. The vineyards included in the Sancerre appellation are actually closer to Burgundy's Cote d'Or area than to other Loire appellations, like Touraine and Anjou. The surrounding viticultural area, which has adapted its name from the town, extends over 15 miles of hills on the west bank of the river, right across from the Pouilly Fume appellation, towards the eastern edge of the Loire Valley wine region. Perched atop a bean-shaped hill overlooking the Loire River is the historical town of Sancerre. Discover the crisp Sauvignon Blancs and smooth Pinot Noir wines of Sancerre, the perfect complement to the famous goat cheeses also hailing from this region. The appellation has also recently experienced a red revolution, with several winemakers preferring to produce Pinot Noir in the Burgundy style. The producers of this area pride themselves on the unique soil types into which their vines stretch their long roots: a combination of chalk, limestone-gravel and flint, responsible for that certain smoky gun-flint aroma in a classic bottle of Sancerre white. Situated in the heart of the Loire Valley right in the centre of France, the appellation of Sancerre has become well known for its slightly savoury, flinty, highly aromatic Sauvignon Blanc wines.
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