Location and landscape
Sancerre is a commune in the French department of Cher in the Centre-Val de Loire region. The town lies on a hill above the Loire and belongs to the wine-growing region Loire. The Sancerre AOC wine-growing area extends across the surrounding hills on the left bank of the river.
Soils and climate
The successive hills reach heights of about 200 to 400 metres; the vineyard plots are mostly between 180 and 350 metres, with individual slopes showing more than 50 percent gradient. Kimmeridgian marls, known as terres blanches, Oxford and Portland limestones, as well as clayey-siliceous soils such as chailloux or silex, are characteristic. The area has a weakened oceanic climate with around 650 millimetres of annual rainfall in the wine-growing region. The Loire moderates the pattern of temperatures by draining cold air from the valleys running across the region.
Wines and grape varieties
The Sancerre AOC includes dry, fresh still wines in white, red and rosé. White wines are produced exclusively from Sauvignon Blanc, while red and rosé wines are produced exclusively from Pinot Noir. For the white wines, notes of citrus, exotic fruit and blossoms are possible, rosés can show delicate fruit aromas, while red wines may be characterised by red fruit flavours and supple tannins.
History and appellation
Sancerre wines are documented as early as the 6th century and again in writings from the 11th century. After the phylloxera crisis in the late 19th century, wine-growing was gradually replanted with Sauvignon Blanc for white wines and Pinot Noir for red and rosé wines. The appellation was first officially recognised by decree on 14 November 1936 and includes production in 14 communes, including Sancerre.
