Sancerre continues to be more popular than ever. That increased demand coupled with the tariffs have made it much more difficult to find good ones that sell for less than $40, but I managed to do just that!
Based in the "Grand Cru" village of Bué, home to some of Sancerre's most esteemed producers and estates, Domaine Gérard Millet makes distinctive Sauvignon Blancs from the limestone-rich and rocky soils of this historic appellation.
I love including pictures with my write-ups, as I think it gives you a better overall sense of the wine you're reading about. The picture below is of Millet's vineyards, with the Loire River flowing in the background. It's kind of pretty, wouldn't you say?
The Millet family have been making Sancerre for five generations. Today, the estate is run by husband and wife Gérard and Isabelle, and the couple are slowly turning over the reins to their son Steve. While the estate is not certified organic, the family uses zero chemicals in their farming, aka "practicing organic."
They also ferment with indigenous yeasts, a method that helps to preserve the terroir, or sense of place, of a wine. Also known as native yeasts, these are the naturally-occurring yeasts found in the region. Having visited the Loire Valley a couple of times, this wine brings me back to this beautiful river valley that is home to some of France's greatest vineyards.
Brought up entirely in tank with 3 months of aging on the lies, Millet's Sancerre has a classic profile of wet rock, nectarine, kaffir lime, lemon zest, and wild mountain flowers. Sleek and focused on the palate, I am impressed with the wine's elegant style and its long and satisfying finish.
There you go -- classic, delicious, estate-grown, and organic Sancerre for less than $40! Trust me, wines of this quality-level at this price-point are becoming rarer by the day....
Josh Spurling
Owner, Operator, Wine Monger
Table Wine Asheville
