Sancerre STYLE

In the cradle of the sauvignon blanc grape, Dominic Rippon explores the well-renowned vineyards of Centre-Loire

- Dominic Rippon

Sancerre is the emblematic wine appellation of Centre-Loire – the easternmost extremity of the Loire Valley’s vineyards. It is from these gently rolling hills, on the left bank of the Loire river in the Cher département, that the sauvignon blanc variety began its march to wine world domination. Sancerre’s grass and gooseberry aromas and steely mineral flavours provide the template by which all other sauvignons – all the way from Chile to New Zealand’s Marlborough – are judged.

Success story

Wines have been made in Sancerre since Roman times, but the area’s viticultural heyday was the Middle Ages, flourishing from the 12th century under the influence of the Counts of Sancerre, as well as Augustinian monks at the nearby SaintSatur Abbey.