![]() ![]() ![]() Its enormous popularity in 1970s French bistros led to its success as the go-to restaurant white around the globe in the 1980s. Marked by its charming hilltop village in the easternmost territory of the Loire, Sancerre is famous for its racy, vivacious, citrus-dominant Sauvignon blanc. Though the family is forever striving to perfect their craft, they remain committed to Henri’s original viticultural vision of showcasing the purity of the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir grapes and the unique Terroirs of Sancerre.įamille Bourgeois has received numerous accolades over the years from press and public alike for all of their wines, ranging from their delightfully fresh & food-friendly "baby Sancerre" Petit Bourgeois wines to their age-worthy, terroir-driven Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé cuvées. Today, Arnaud, Lionel, and Jean-Christophe Bourgeois are just as much the heirs of those men as the initiators of the future of the vines and wines of the house. They discovered new terroirs, bought land, developed partnerships with other Sancerre families, and turned themselves into the #1 ambassador of Sancerre in France, then abroad. His sons, Jean-Marie and Rémi, joined him in the 1960s and continued the adventure. From cultivating two hectares on the slopes of Chavignol, Henri took the audacious step in the 1950s of developing his vineyards in an as yet unknown area. Brought to fruition by Henri Bourgeois over 50 years ago, the vineyards lie on some of the most rugged hillside terrains, offering the best exposures in the Loire Valley. The domain covers 72 hectares on the best Terroir of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé appellations. While not typically exported in large amounts, they are well-made and attract a loyal French following.The Famille Bourgeois has been in love with Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc for 11th generation. Flint (silex) soils close to the village produce particularly perfumed and age-worthy wines.Ībout ten percent of the wines claiming the Sancerre appellation name are fresh and light red wines made from Pinot noir and to a lesser extent, rosés. Moving closer to the actual town of Sancerre, soils are gravel and limestone, producing especially delicate wines. ![]() In the western part of the appellation, clay and limestone soils with Kimmeridgean marne, especially in Chavignol, produce powerful wines. While the region claims a continental climate, noted for short, hot summers and long, cold winters, variations in topography-rolling hills and steep slopes from about 600 to 1,300 feet in elevation-with great soil variations, contribute the variations in character in Sancerre Sauvignon blancs. MELLOT, father and son, the 18th and 19th to bear the name. Today, this century old winemaking tradition is perpetuated by Alphonse This marked the beginning of a pacific conquest which has been pursued and developed by the family business from father to son ever since, with the eldest son continuing to bear the name of the Founder Alphonse. In 1881 he was granted a licence to ship his wine throughout France and all over the World. They pursued their patient labours and continued to gain recognition because César Mellot was appointed as Wine Advisor to Louis XIV in 1698.Īt the beginning of the XIX century, ALPHONSE MELLOT founded a tavern in Sancerre where one could savour the local wines and so began a flourishing trade that was to continue. The Mellot family, vinegrowers and wine merchants, was again mentioned during the siege of the town. It is however certain that its history goes back to the beginning of the Middle Ages, before the year 1000 and that a Castle was erected on this privileged site.Īs far back as the XVI century, in 1513 to be exact, the local records mention the MELLOT family, whose life even at that time was governed by the seasons of the vine and the production of wines of excellent quality. Certain historians attribute it to Julius Cesar, others to a Saxon settlement that is said to have been established during the reign of Charlemagne. There is much controversy surrounding the origins of Sancerre. The oldest part of the town, built like an amphitheatre on the south-western slopes of the hill towers up to a height of three hundred and twelve meters, dominating the landscape and offering a magnificent panorama. ![]() SANCERRE is first and foremost an isolated hill that rises up in the middle of a serene landscape bathed by the soft light of the Loire river. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |