Cross above Chavignol looking towards Sancerre
This morning we had 34 wines from Terres Blanches (clay-limestone) to taste. The Terres Blanches are mainly the steep hillside vineyards like Les Monts Damnés, La Grande Côte and the Clos de la Poussie. Wines from this terroir tend to be the longest lived from Sancerre but are often initially closed – much less forward than those from the Caillottes.
Of the 34 there were five that were corked, which is an extraordinary high rate of 14.70%. Although this one can hardly draw conclusions from just 34 wines, this does suggest that the Sancerrois ought to be considering whether their wines wouldn't be better under screwcap. They might also show greater vibrancy.
Of the 34 there were five that were corked, which is an extraordinary high rate of 14.70%. Although this one can hardly draw conclusions from just 34 wines, this does suggest that the Sancerrois ought to be considering whether their wines wouldn't be better under screwcap. They might also show greater vibrancy.
4 comments:
Jim, I think I've probably mentioned this a year or so ago but our supplier in Chavignol, Domaine Serge Laporte, has been bottling his Sancerre for us under Stelvin for two vintages now. We have also persuaded the Chavets (Menetou), Christophe Pichot (Vouvray) and the Penets (Oisly - Sauvignon de Touraine)to do so as well. They are all so beautifully fresh and untainted now!
Chris
Good work Chris. I think i have seem most of these wines. At the Decanter tasting it was striking how few wines were closed with a screwcap - 5 or 6 out of nearly 120.
Probably the best thing for importers to do would be to ask their Sancerre suppliers to bottle under screwcap - there's plenty of contract bottlers in the area who are extremely well-equipped for this now. I guess the likes of the Cotats and Reverdys might not be ultra-keen on going to Stelvin, though!
Chris
I agree Chris. My understanding is that a major stumbling block is the the opposition of the French restaurant sector to screwcaps.
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