Sancerre

The wine

On the limestone hills overlooking the Loire river, Sancerre is the purest expression of sauvignon blanc in France. The soils — hard limestone caillottes, chalky Kimmeridgian marls and flinty silex — shape minerally, taut whites with citrus, boxwood and gunflint aromas. Reds and rosés from pinot noir stay confidential but keep gaining precision. A young Sancerre pairs beautifully with neighbouring Crottin de Chavignol goat cheese, river fish and shellfish. The best cuvées, especially from silex soils, will age five to ten years in cellar.