The beauty of Sancerre
Sancerre wines have become increasingly popular outside of France. And quite rightly so. The Sauvignon Blanc grape produces wonderful white wine.
Some have even said that Sancerre wine offers the unique expression of the Sauvignon Blanc grape, with its dry, mineral-driven flavour, and flint-like aroma.
But there is more to Sancerre than that. Sancerre also produces, in much lower quantities, very nice red and rose wines using the Pinot Noir grape variety.
And nearby, the village of Chavignol is home to one of France’s great goat cheeses, for which Sancerre wine is a perfect accompaniment.
Sancerre is also one of the most beautifully situated towns in France, being perched upon a hill, from which there are wonderful sweeping views across the sea of vineyards. Sancerre’s strategic geography, offering excellent defences, means that it has a very long history. There is evidence of a settlement from Roman times. More recently a village grew up around a small church and then an abbey of the 11th century. During World War II, Sancerre was a regional command center for the French Resistance.
The word Sancerre is curious, what is its origin? According to one theory, it may be derived from “Sacred to Caesar”, which was later Christianized to “Saint-Cere”.
The wine walker will always have mixed feelings about Sancerre. Walking downhill from the town of Sancerre offers spectacular views of the vineyards. But walking back up requires sporty fitness. I suggest starting your walk from the top, because walking back up gives you a healthy appetite for your dinner (or lunch).
Links
Sancerre: What to Know and 5 Bottles to Try
Sancerre | History, Geography, & Points of Interest
Visiting Sancerre, France: Original Home of the Sauvignon Blanc Grape
Logistics
Train from Paris to Cosne-sur-Loire. Then local bus to Sancerre