Mercurey and Sancerre – lesser-known white wines from France
In the last article we wrote about the most famous types of white wine, and today we are going to introduce some of the lesser-known ones that come from France. No one could consider French wines as such to be unknown, but we can sometimes encounter a wine from France that we haven’t heard much about yet. An expert will know which one they are having the pleasure of meeting, but someone who is new to the world of wine wouldn’t guess … Let’s look at a few of these selected wines in this article.
To begin with, let’s recall that France uses what it calls the appellation system for classifying wines. It’s based on the principle of emphasizing the region where the grapes used to produce the given wine were grown. Therefore, on the labels of individual wines we most frequently find the name of this region prominently displayed.
However, in certain cases, the word Chateau, which means country house or castle and refers to the winery where the wine was created, is dominant. What’s interesting is that in there doesn’t even have to be a house or castle like this at the place. And the third element we want to mention is the designation Vin de Pays, which is connected with the name of some of the characteristic varieties.
Two tips for discovering French wine
France’s wine growing regions are spread throughout almost the entire country, and – alphabetically – we can order them like this: Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Central France, Champagne, Jura, Languedoc – Roussillon, Provence + Corsica, Savoie, and the valleys of the Loire and Rhone rivers. Let’s go take a look together at two of these.
1. Mercurey: the white pearl of Burgundy
One of the most famous communes (townships) in Burgundy is Mercurey, which is also the dominant appellation in the Côte Chalonnaise subregion. Although we may be used to treating ourselves to luxurious red wines from Burgundy, let’s not forget about white wine.
The predominant white variety in this region is Chardonnay, which also has its origin here, and the white wines from Mercurey may blend it with a certain percent of Pinot Blanc. However, you’ll most frequently encounter single-variety wines with one hundred percent Chardonnay content.
The immediate vicinity of this appellation has the status of Premier Cru, and then in the broader area around there are vineyards with the classification Mercurey AOC (Apellation ďOrigine Controlée).
Mercureys are rich and full white wines, that generally have a yellowish color with green tones. When you hold them up to your nose, you’ll detect the aroma of white fruits, especially apples. They have a fresh, mineral taste, and at the conclusion give an impression of softness and warmth. It is recommended to open the bottles after their third year and serve them as an aperitif.
Chardonnay ripens in October and achieves a high sugar content, and it also benefits from maturation in barrique casks. Mercurey wines are great in combination with cheeses and sauces, and they also complement smoked fish, seafood, and steaks.
2. Sancerre: the white pearl from the Loire River valley
Sancerre wines come from the wine appellation of the same name, which is predominantly located on the left bank of the Loire. Here, we most frequently encounter the white variety Sauvignon Blanc, which is the basis for the whíte wines from this area. However, you can also enjoy a Sancerre rosé or a red Sancerre made from the Pinot Noir variety.
However, it remains a fact that Sancerre is above all the king of Sauvignons. These are traditionally dry, full-bodied wines with delicate floral aromas and fruity tones in their taste. You will appreciate their balanced acidity and hint of grapefruit with a touch of peaches. You may also distinguish flavors of blackberries, pineapple, or gooseberries.
These two wines are exemplary cases of how great an influence terroir has on a wine’s final result. Nearly 400 winemakers are testing their skills here, and they also make excellent cuvées. A typical Sancerre matures in stainless steel tanks in order to preserve its fresh, light taste.
Sancerre is suited for serving with fish dishes, and it makes a good complement to moldy or goat cheeses. Of all the varieties of meat, it gets along best with poultry.
Our tip: The entire region with its town that is also named Sancerre deserves a visit, and it will be especially enchanting for history lovers. The town withmer approximately 1400 inhabitants is on hilly ground and offers a beautiful vista over the Loire.
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