10 Sancerre White Wines to Electrify Your Palate

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The white wines of Sancerre are a springtime favorite, perfect for dusting off the patio furniture. Located on the eastern edge of the Loire Valley in France, this appellation can yield red and rosé wines, however it is best known for its crisp white wines made from Sauvignon Blanc.

The classic white Sancerre is loaded with bright acidity and crisp minerality, with the hallmark flavors of gooseberry, lemon and flint arising in most examples. Some are made entirely in stainless steel to keep the pristine, vibrant fruit flavors front and center. Yet, there are also richer styles of Sancerre that are aged in concrete or oak barrels, which add body, texture and lend potential for aging in the cellar.

Sancerre’s zesty profile and intriguing complexity make it a great wine to pair with food. The classic pairing of goat cheese and Sancerre is a must, as the creamy, tangy nature of the cheese is a perfect patch to Sauvignon Blanc’s herbal, citrusy profile. The intensity of Sancerre also makes it a great match for shellfish dishes and tricky-to-pair vegetables like fennel and asparagus.

Alphonse Mellot 2019 Les Romains (Sancerre); $67. Buy on Wine.com. The name provides a reminder that Julius Caesar left a fort on the hill of Sancerre. This wine is rich. A mineral edge from the flint soil… SEE SCORE AND REVIEW

Domaine Alban Roblin 2020 Sancerre; $25. Buy on Vivino. This wine is young, tight with acidity and a tangy, bright texture. It has layers of acidity and crisp apple-skin… SEE SCORE AND REVIEW

Domaine Anthony Girard 2020 La Clef du Récit (Sancerre); $35. Buy on Vivino. This wine is textured, tight with minerality and full of young white fruits. Still developing, it has good potential… SEE SCORE AND REVIEW

Domaine Bernard Fleuriet et Fils 2019 La Baronne (Sancerre); $39. Buy on Vivino. Wood aging in large barrels for a year has broadened this wine’s fruit and richness. A touch of spice… SEE SCORE AND REVIEW

Domaine Delaporte 2019 Les Monts Damnés (Sancerre); $57. Buy on Vivino. From the steep Monts Damnés vineyard, this wine is tense and structured, with a coiled power that will take time to unwind. Green fruits are framed… SEE SCORE AND REVIEW

Domaine Denizot 2019 Sancerre; $27. Find on Wine-Searcher. This ripe wine offers mango and apricot flavors balanced by perfumed acidity. It’s a warm style… SEE SCORE AND REVIEW

Domaine Fouassier 2019 Les Chasseignes (Sancerre); $50. Buy on Vivino. Tight white fruits, floral aromas and bright, tangy acidity make this wine a trifecta. The wine has the potential… SEE SCORE AND REVIEW

François Crochet 2019 Le Petit Chemarin (Sancerre); $40. Buy on Vivino. Soft kiwi and gooseberry flavors enhance this stylish wine. It has a bright beacon of fruitiness… SEE SCORE AND REVIEW

Jean-Max Roger 2019 Cuvée Marne et Caillottes (Sancerre); $30. Buy on Vivino. In this wine, fresh fruits are crisp with acidity and tangy orange-zest flavors. A strong, youthful mineral element… SEE SCORE AND REVIEW

Vincent Grall 2019 Le Manoir (Sancerre); $28. Buy on Vivino. Fermented in wood, this wine has spice, ripe white fruits and a tangy texture. The light edge of acidity… SEE SCORE AND REVIEW

Published on April 1, 2022