2012 Loire: relatively plentiful crop in Sancerre

If anyone from Sancerre complains of a small vintage, laugh and point them in the direction of the Pays Nantais where many producers in the Sèvre-et-Maine will be lucky to see an average yield of 25 hl/ha with average yields in the Côtes de Grandlieu more like 15-18 hl/ha.

In Sancerre yields for Sauvignon Blanc are around 40-45 hl/ha with the Pinot Noir around 25-30 hl/ha. As elsewhere in the Loire the grapes are very healthy with rot a rarity. Potential alcohol levels from Sauvignon Blanc run from around 12.5% to 13.5% and above with acidities from 5 g/l to 5.5 g/l. Apparently yields in villages like Verdigny and Sury-en-Vaux are higher around 50hl/ha.    

Case carrier@Domaine Vacheron 

Denis Vacheron takes a case of Sauvignon Blanc. Denis has been supervising the vintage for over 45 years

2012 Sauvignon Blanc – Domaine Vacheron 

 Picker@Domaine Vacheron – 'Berrichon pure souche' 

Part of the Vacheron team of pickers: the domaine has a 100 working on the vintage this year spread across the vineyards and the cellar

Vincent Pinard (white shirt, dark hair) and his team of pickers@Bué

Powerfully hoddie@Domaine Vincent Pinard

Vincent Pinard's two hoddies (above and below)

Vincent Pinard 

L'Equipe Pinard 

Captions to be finished