What's so 'crisp' about Sancerre??

For this month's NY Times Wine School, we were tasked with the ever so important role of wine drinker to the French Sancerre wine. Never heard of the grape, huh? That's because it is not a grape. It's a region in France.

Unfortunately, for Americans, the French name their wine based on region, not on the grape varietal as we do in America. So, to know what the grape is, you need to know what is grown in that region.
The region of Sancerre, located mainly on the left bank of the Loire Valley, grows primarily Sauvignon Blanc and just a small amount of Pinot Noir.

We were happy to finally enjoy a white wine tasting through the wine school, and none too soon given the rise of the heat index outside all of our doors these days.

Sauvignon Blanc is certainly my favorite white wine varietal given its layered flavor profile and crisp taste. It is also the "easiest" white, in my opinion, in which to find a great, cheap option at any store you may find in your hometown or on vacation.

However, my lack of love for "old world" vines (those vines from Europe that started this whole, awesome wine thing) kept me from trying and really giving Sancerre a fair fight. I am glad I did. Although it is not as layered with flavors as a New Zealand or CA Sauv Blanc, I still enjoyed its light and crisp notes.

Wine Momma Wine Review
Wine: Hippolyte Reverdy 2012 Sancerre
Color: light, almost transparent, young
Smell: Flowers, a bit of grass
Taste: crisp acidity paired with light melon
Food: Tasted with goat cheese and crackers which happened to intensify the taste of the wine
Scale: A great 3 - perhaps once or twice every few months!

I recommend a try of this French classic to enhance your wine collection!

Cheers!