Pascal Jolivet Sancere

Pascal Jolivet's Sancerre is a 13.0% ABV Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, made in the appellation's classic dry white style. Sancerre sits on the eastern edge of the Loire, where limestone and flint-bearing soils tend to give Sauvignon Blanc a tight, mineral frame rather than the louder tropical profile of warmer regions. Expect a pale straw colour and a nose of citrus peel, grapefruit and gooseberry, often with a green-herb or freshly cut grass edge and a flinty, chalky undertone. On the palate, wines like this are typically light to medium in body, bone dry, and driven by high, mouth-watering acidity. There is no tannin to speak of, and oak is rarely a feature in this style, so the fruit and mineral character stay in front. The finish is usually clean and fairly long, with a saline or stony note that makes the wine feel precise rather than rich. That acidity makes it a natural partner for goat's cheese, especially fresh crottin from nearby Chavignol, which is the traditional regional match. It also suits oysters, steamed mussels, grilled white fish with lemon, asparagus, and salads dressed with a sharp vinaigrette. Dishes built on fresh herbs, such as chervil, chive or tarragon, echo the wine's green notes well. Serve it chilled at roughly 8 to 10°C, since colder temperatures mute the aromatics and warmer ones flatten the acidity. It does not need decanting; simply pour from the bottle into a medium-sized white wine glass with a slightly tapered rim, which concentrates the citrus and mineral aromas. Sancerre of this style is built for drinking young and fresh, within a few years of its vintage, and is best opened soon after purchase rather than cellared.