My discovery of Sancerre

Barbara and I were on our first trip to France in the mid-90's. We were traveling with a couple of friends and an American couple who operated a barge in France during the tourist season. For a first time traveller to France, there were several benefits of booking this trip by way of barge. First, the owners spoke fluent French and could clue us in on French culture; Second, the owners were excellent cooks and enjoyed good food, cheese and wine;

During that first trip (that turned into many more over the years), I honestly don't know what I enjoyed the most. Was it the French scenery and culture; the endless selection of cheeses that I had never experienced before; or was it the introduction to French wine?

Certainly, one of the most memorable discoveries during this trip was of the French white wine known as Sancerre. The Sancerre Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) region is located on the eastern part of the Loire Valley, across from another well known white wine region, Pouilly-Fumé. The white wine grape variety in this region is Sauvignon Blanc. Instead of a strong grassy, herbal characteristic that most California Sauvignon Blancs are known for, Sancerre's tend to reflect a more citrus, fruity characteristic, influenced by the marl (chalky white limestone) soil.

One of the benefits that I often overlook when working with wine, are the R&D opportunities. For my own Sauvignon Blanc project, I was looking for a good example of Sancerre to evaluate and was turned onto this Domaine Michel Girard et Fils by my friend Eric, owner of Rouge, Wine Cellar & Gifts. This wine comes from the village of Verdigny, that stylistically has the reputation for wines that are balanced, fruit forward with citrus notes and less grassy than those of villages further to the southwest and away from the river where the soil has less gravel.

This wine did not disappoint! Hints of grass, followed by a warm citrus nose of orange blossom and grapefruit. On the palate, there is a creaminess that must come from regular stirring and aging in neutral oak, with citrus flavors of grapefruit and orange along with some lavender honey on the finish.

I'm hoping that by the summer of 2010, I will be releasing my first Sauvignon Blanc from Inspiration Vineyards. Stylistically, I'm aiming high towards this style of Sancerre!