In celebration of Sancerre

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Synonymous with the rolling valleys and fertile vineyards of the Loire, Sancerre has been long held in high esteem as the crème de la crème when it comes to crisp, fresh, and fruity white wine.

A barge cruise holiday through these evocative surrounds must be accompanied by, at least, one bottle of Sancerre, so, in celebration of one of the finest white wines of all time, we present you with five fascinating facts about this iconic wine.

1. Home of Sauvignon Blanc

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Home of Sauvignon Blanc

The region of Sancerre, in the heart of the Loire, is renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc wines, characterized by their crisp acidity, minerality, and pops of green apple, citrus, and herbs. Sancerre’s unique terroir (a French concept relating to the environmental factors such as climate, soil type, temperature, and elevation), with its limestone-rich soils and hilltop setting, plays a significant role in giving Sancerre wines their distinct character.

The quintessential setting for the production of some of the world’s most cherished and notable wines, the village of Sancerre, overlooking the smoothly flowing waters of the River Loire, is also known for its picturesque medieval architecture, winding streets, and meticulously planted vineyards.

Rich in vine and history, its centrality has ensured Sancerre has served as a strategic military site throughout the ages, notably in the Middle Ages.

2. Wine of the Gods

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Wine of the Gods

The Sancerre region’s relationship with wine is centuries old, with a history of winemaking dating back to Roman times.

However, it was only in the 12th century that the region became widely recognized for its vineyards. Around this time, the monks of Saint-Satur Abbey played a crucial role in cultivating the vines and promoting the wines.

3. Cool Climate Influence

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Cool Climate Influence

Sancerre’s cool climate is not only a soothing balm to visitors, but it also contributes significantly to the style of its wines. Centrally situated, the region’s relatively cooler climes help preserve the acidity in the grapes, resulting in fresh, vibrant wines with a pronounced mineral character.

4. The Importance of Vintage

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The Importance of Vintage

Sancerre is not a ‘one flavour fits all’ wine. Vintage variation, courtesy of the region’s variable weather conditions, creates a subtle difference in each wine produced. A warm vintage can result in riper, fruitier wines, while cooler years produce wines with higher acidity and more pronounced minerality.

For enthusiasts and Sancerre aficionados, this variability, resulting in a diverse range of flavours and profiles from year to year, is one of the nuances that makes each vintage so special and unique.

5. Rivalry with Pouilly-Fumé

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Domaine Pabiot AOC Pouilly-fume les Champs-aux-Moines

In a nation famed for its fine wines, a little healthy competition can only ever be a good thing. For wine lovers enjoying a barge holiday in France’s central region, just across the Loire River from Sancerre is the Pouilly-Fumé region, another area famous for Sauvignon Blanc.

While both regions produce exceptional wines, those with a nose for the detail might pick up on the slightly smokier notes in Pouilly-Fumé wines – a region known for its more intense style, attributed to the flint (silex) soils.

Keen on a Drop of Red?

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Keen on a Drop of Red?

Although we love a splash of crisp white, it may come as a comfort to red wine aficionados that, whilst famed for its whites, Sancerre also produces red and rosé wines made from Pinot Noir. Light, elegant, and typically with a fresh acidity, you can savour pops of red fruit flavours like cherry and raspberry in this fresh drinking grape.

If you’re looking to perfect your palate, in the soothing surrounds of the Loire Valley, where better to hone those taste buds than on our outside sun deck aboard the C’est La Vie, on a barge cruise beneath the warmth of the summer sun?