Savvy Sancerre Saturday

‘The wines are so full of joy and character, and their great value solidifies their status as the most accessible fine wines’ Catherine Petrie MW

Sancerre has been a household name in Australia for some time and today looks to be in a hay-day of sorts with some of the finest examples we have seen of its mineral-laden sauvignon blancs sliding across our desks in recent years. This often-underrated region has been making its mark, guided by a new generation of winemakers and quality-conscious producers who are fully realising the incredible potential of Sancerre’s limestone-rich soils.

Of course, it would be remiss of us not to mention the contribution of the late and great Didier Dagueneau who did more single-handedly to push the quality of the region than any other producer. Many are following in his footsteps today, and we are happily reaping the rewards.

For punters exploring the appellation for the first time or as recent lovers and converts to Sancerre will know, the styles can vary quite drastically from producer to producer. Some offer joyous fruit-driven wines, with lush, mouth-filling palates and zesty noses while those at the other end of the spectrum are making some serious, terroir-driven bottlings saturated with the region's telltale minerality. Ultimately though the array of permutations from one end to the other makes it one of the most exciting regions in France to drink from today.

So, in celebration of all that is great about Sancerre, we will be taking a deep dive into the region and looking at its many faces. This will be a wonderful day full of lip-smacking goodness, and with warmer weather finally upon us it should be the perfect foil for any summer day's drinking.