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LOIRE VALLEY
MARKETS
AN AERIAL VIEW OF SANCERRE
For the average layperson, Sancerre, perched on the uplands of the Loire Valley, refers to a
globally renowned white wine. And yet, across the rolling hills of the Centre-Loire region,
Sauvignon blanc – the variety which made Sancerre famous – lives happily alongside Pinot
noir. Covering 3,025 hectares spanning 14 villages, Sancerre is not just an appellation – it is a
mosaic of vineyard sites where the terres blanches or white soils sit alongside the ‘caillottes’
(pebbles) and clay-silica soils to craft an incredible array of wines.
As early as Antiquity, vines were already an established feature of the landscape and down
through the centuries, Sancerre has carved out a place for itself as the head of the family of
Centre-Loire wines, securing appellation status for its whites in 1936 and for its reds and rosés
in 1959. The freshness and finesse of its white wines have won acclaim among consumers
the world over, but a more limited circle of insiders marvel at the complexity and depth of
its reds and rosés which encapsulate both craftsmanship and a fine-tuned knowledge of the
vineyard sites. But with celebrity and recognition now a given, how does Sancerre manage
to maintain the same level of excellence, innovate whilst showing respect for tradition, and
meet the needs of a consumer audience that is increasingly informed and demanding? This
report offers a behind-the-scenes look at the most famous Centre-Loire appellation, a chance
to discover its vineyard sites and the men and women who farm them, and a peek at their
strategy for remaining at the very pinnacle of the world’s wine industry.
DOMAINE JEAN-MAX ROGER:
“SANCERRE IS A STRONG BRAND NAME”
In the heart of one of Centre-Loire’s iconic wine villages, Bué, Domaine Jean-Max Roger
offers a quintessential rendition of winegrowing expertise that has been passed down
SPRING 2024 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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