The history of Sancerre wine
Beautiful valleys, fertile vineyards, wine cellars in narrow alleys, and a historic castle tower. All of this is connected with the history of the distinctive Sancerre wine, which comes from the town and region of the same name. The town is located in the Loire river valley in central France, and it takes its character from two varieties of grape vines – Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.
When was Sancerre wine created?
The story of Sancerre wine dates back to the 1st century CE. At the base of the hills of Sancerre is the city of Saint Thibault, previously called Gortona. Its ideal location at the crossroads of the via Romana and the Loire river predestined it to become a significant Gallo-Roman port city. It became the starting point for the export of local wines. Before the Romans’ conquest of Gaul, the Celtic tribe of Bituriges, who were known for growing the grapes called Bitrurious, were dominant here.
Wine production flourished even more in the year 313 CE. That’s because wine became part of the Christian religion, which was established as official by the emperor Constantine. Thus, the drink made from grapes gained popularity among the Catholic population.
The Middle Ages: Overwhelmed by wine
Vineyards flourished in the 11th and 12th centuries. Credit for this is due to the hard-working Augustinian monks at the Saint Satur Abbey and the powerful Sancerre noble family. This is also the period when a castle with fortification walls was built to protect the city. You can still see the castle tower in Sancerre today.
Over the years, the amount of wine production increased, and at the beginning of the 17th century there was a surplus in the French kingdom. That’s why King Louis XIII decreed that no more grapevines would be planted. This restriction was abolished at the end of the 18th century by the French Revolution.
The Modern Age: From red to white
vines began to be planted again in 1893, it was a different variety. Before the pests had attacked, blue grape varieties had predominated in the vineyards. However, when they were replanting, the winemakers favored white wine, particularly the Sauvignon Blanc variety.
Sancerre wine is presently made mostly from the Sauvignon variety. This one was awarded an appellation (AOC) in 1936, and Sauvignon from Sancerre is recognized as one of the best Sauvignons in the world. Red Sancerre is produced from the Pinot Noir variety, which represents about 15 % of production. It has held its appellation since 1959.
The soil composition of Sancerre
The soil that gives rise to Sancerre wines creates many flavors and aromas. The substrate takes three forms:
- Clay-limestone soil is found on the western part of the region.
- Siliceous and stony soil can be found in the eastern part of the wine region.
- Rocky-limestone soil is found on steep slopes and hillsides.
The specifics of these three terroirs afford winemakers the possibility of creating original wines that show the characteristics of the individual vineyards. Even if you’re tasting the same variety from the same winery, it won’t necessarily taste the same. The taste, aroma, and minerality are going to vary.
Has Sancerre wine piqued your interest?
Steeped in history, the wines of Sancerre certainly deserve your interest. Not only because they are among the highest-quality wines made from the Sauvignon variety, but also because each bottle offers flavors that you haven’t yet had a chance to encounter. In our e-shop you can choose from among several vintages of this golden beverage. We’ll be happy to wrap it up for you in a luxurious wooden box and we’ll include a special opener for vintage wines in the package.
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