Sancerre

Sancerre is a wine-growing area in the Loire Valley in central France, centered on the hilltop town of Sancerre and the surrounding communes in the Cher department. The name identifies AOC wines produced there, which are best known for Sauvignon Blanc whites, with Pinot Noir red and rosé.

The region lies in a cool, maritime-influenced climate and features soils such as caillottes (thin, rocky limestone with flint) and terres blanches (limestone with clay). These terroirs impart mineral character and pronounced acidity to the whites, while the red wines can be fresh and fruity with earthy notes.

The AOC Sancerre is chiefly Sauvignon Blanc for whites, typically released after limited or no oak aging; Pinot Noir is used for red and rosé wines. White wines show citrus, green apple and flinty aromas with crisp, long finishes; red wines tend to be light to medium-bodied with red-berry flavors.

Historically, Sancerre developed a regional reputation in the Middle Ages, and the modern AOC system recognizes the wines of this area. The Sancerre appellation is a focus of tourism and viticulture in the Loire, with a dedicated wine route and a hilltop town with medieval ramparts.

Culinary partners often include goat cheese, notably Crottin de Chavignol, which is traditionally paired with Sancerre Blanc. The wines are regarded as emblematic of the Loire’s crisp, mineral white styles.