2021 Domaine Curot Sancerre Blanc, Loire Valley, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

An expressive, lively Sancerre Blanc that gives notes of limes and lemons, crushed oyster shells, a dash of white pepper, and plenty of ripe yet balanced white fruit. Very fine body. The grapes are fermented on selected yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. Aged in tank, with regular lees stirring, for five months. Soils are mostly a combination of clay and limestone, with flint.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Winemaker Éric Louis can follow his roots in Sancerre as far back as 1860, when his great-grandmother Pauline was an early pioneer in tending vines and bottling her own wines. Her hard work inspired each succeeding generation here in the Loire Valley, so much so that “Les Celliers de la Pauline” have rightfully earned a place in Sancerrois history. The Loire’s leading white grape, Sauvignon Blanc, of course has remained the family’s passion through the years. Today Éric, representing the family’s fourth generation, cares for some 30 acres of hillside vineyards in the village of Vinon, southeast of Sancerre, for his Domaine Curot wines.

The team at Domaine Curot cares for vines sustainably, avoiding treatments and adhering to organic practices as much as possible. Beneficial herbs are planted between vine rows to help prevent erosion and contribute needed nutrients to the soils. The vineyards in Vinon, southeast of Sancerre, are located on the region’s rolling hills, alternating with forest and fields of cereal. Soils are mostly a combination of clay and limestone, with flint. Grapes are sorted both in the fields and the cellar, pressed then fermented on selected yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, and aged on fine lees. The estate follows the lunar calendar to determine optimal times to move or bottle the wines. No sulfur is adding during vinification, and only a very small amount at bottling. Wines are lightly filtered.