From: Sancerre, Loire Valley, France
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Taste and Critical Acclaim: The 2021 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Blanc is stunning. On the nose, the wine has aromas of grapefruit zest, gunflint, white flowers, and a hint of minerality. On the palate, the wine is nervy and concentrated with a juicy core of gooseberry, citrus rind, green apple, crisp pear and sea salt. The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering lifted stony citrus notes.
Vinous
Hailing from several different parcels belonging to the Vacheron family in the frost-affected, cool 2021 season, the 2021 Sancerre Blanc is fresh and fragrant. A mouthwatering style that skips along like a lamb on a spring day. It has just-ripe pineapple, gooseberry and even a tang of green pea in a rather varietal way. The finish is very lightly chalky, as if it is a mere sprinkling. Makes for excellent refreshment. (RG) (8/2022)
Pairing: This wine has a bright acidity that makes it a great pairing for seafood dishes. It will bring out the sweetness of scallops, shrimp, and lobster, as well as the delicate flavors of white fish. It’s refreshing, lip-smacking acidity also makes it a great pairing for salads, especially those with an emphasis on seasonal produce and fresh goat’s milk cheese.
For those looking for a heartier pairing, 2021 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Blanc pairs well with poultry dishes (see below). The bright acidity will cut through the richness of the dish, while the subtle fruit flavors will bring out the flavors of the herbs and spices used in the dish. It is also a great accompaniment to roasted vegetables, as the acidity will bring out the sweetness of the vegetables.
For a vegetarian option, go for a classic vegetable tart. The bright acidity of the wine will cut through the richness of the tart and bring out the flavors of the vegetables. The wine’s minerality will also add a pleasant texture to the dish. A classic pairing would be a roasted vegetable tart with goat cheese and herbs. The acidity of the wine will balance out the richness of the goat cheese, while the citrus notes will bring out the herbs in the tart.
Spatchcocked Chicken With Herb Butter
By Melissa Clark
About. The Vacheron vineyards are all close to the village of Sancerre itself and have been in the family for 9 generations. Today, this domaine is run by two cousins, the Messieurs Vacheron. Both have sons studying viticulture to carry on the family tradition.
The vineyards cover 34 hectares with two principal soil types; "silex" and "caillotte" or chalk. Organic viticulture has been a goal of the family for a number of years; as of 2003, the entire estate was certified organic. The following year the winery was converted completely to biodynamic agriculture--to be sure, you won't find more terroir-driven Sancerre anywhere else in the appellation. Jean-Dominique and Jean-Laurent Vacheron are ably leading the domaine to ever-loftier winemaking heights. The wines speak for themselves—always consistent, the quality of Vacheron Sancerre continues to astound.
Fruit is organic, hand-harvested, and fermented naturally with indigenous yeasts, leading to wines that show a serious sense of place. The cousins have become a benchmark for earth-driven Sauvignon Blanc worldwide.
The vintage. Loire vintage 2021: 'Hard year, but versatile and beautiful wines'
By James Lawrence, Harpers.co.uk
Published: 17 November, 2021
Winegrowers in the Loire Valley region grappled with a difficult and challenging season, but were rewarded with a good crop of fresh and aromatic wines, according to a new harvest report from InterLoire.
Pierre-Jean Sauvion, Chairman of the InterLoire communications panel, commented: “The end of the growing season, in August and September, has allowed for a very good level of ripeness but no miracle in terms of yield. This 2021 harvest is true to the great Loire vintages, fresh, crunchy, with density and beautiful aromatic tastes – for consumption without moderation!”.
