Sancerre Rouge

Winery: Château Eric Louis
Region: Loire Valley
Locale: Thauvenay, Sancerre, France
Appellation: Sancerre Rouge
Designation: AOC

Site: From terroir both chalky and flinty; estate vineyards near Thauvenay. Yields are severely limited, and grapes are harvested plot by plot. Grapes are picked and sorted by hand.

Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir de Bourgogne

Fermentation and Aging: After being destemmed, the hand-picked grapes undergo a 48 hour cold soak. Then the wine is fermented for about 18 days. The wine spends 9 months in barrique, a very small part new, where it undergoes the malolactic fermentation.

Interesting to know: It is difficult to find Sancerre Rouge, and it is even more difficult to find one of this quality. The wine shows ripeness and structure, yet offers a very elegant and balanced palate.

Pairing: Great for a meat course, but pairings with fish or white meat can be surprisingly successful. Try it with roast chicken or duck, even better with game birds.

Vintage: 2010