Sancerre: A subtle summer treat
The refined pleasure of old-world sauvignon blanc
Sancerre has been undercut by new world sauvignon blancs in recent years, but there's nothing quite like the original.
A "juicy blast" from New Zealand is sometimes just "too loud, too strong, too relentlessly bright", says Susy Atkins in the Daily Telegraph. Treat yourself instead to the "whistle-clean lemon juice, precise and clear" of a true Sancerre - and don't serve it too cold.
A good example is the "strikingly pure" Domaine Vacheron Sancerre 2013, £19.99 from Waitrose, which has "a dry, crisp finish".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Or, says the Daily Express, try the elegant Celestin Blondeau Sancerre 2014, £12 from Morrisons. "Refined and lemony," it has a "high acidity and linear, mineral flavours".
Nor is the Sancerre a one-trick region, says Tina Gellie in Decanter: "It's high time to pay attention to the reds which, while still small in number, are fast gaining a reputation for quality and Burgundian elegance."
Chief among these is the Domaine Lucien Crochet, La Croix du Roy 2010, £20, which is aged in a barrel for a year then blended and matured in a tank before bottling. The result is a "beautiful richness and purity", says Decanter.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Trump's cabinet nominees are facing confirmation delays
In the Spotlight Paperwork and politics play a role
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Hegseth boosts hopes for confirmation amid grilling
Speed Read The Senate held confirmation hearings for Pete Hegseth, Trump's Defense Secretary nominee
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden removes Cuba from terrorism blacklist
Speed read The move is likely to be reversed by the incoming Trump administration, as it was Trump who first put Cuba on the terrorism blacklist in his first term
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Mulled white wine: a 'quirky' Christmas hit?
The Week Recommends Retailers are hoping to tempt shoppers with a 'lighter' version of the classic festive tipple
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
By The Week UK Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published
-
Sing Sing review: prison drama bursts with 'charm, energy and optimism'
The Week Recommends Colman Domingo plays a real-life prisoner in a performance likely to be an Oscars shoo-in
By The Week UK Published
-
Kaos review: comic retelling of Greek mythology starring Jeff Goldblum
The Week Recommends The new series captures audiences as it 'never takes itself too seriously'
By The Week UK Published
-
Blink Twice review: a 'stylish and savage' black comedy thriller
The Week Recommends Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie stun in this film on the hedonistic rich directed by Zoë Kravitz
By The Week UK Published
-
Shifters review: 'beautiful' new romantic comedy offers 'bittersweet tenderness'
The Week Recommends The 'inventive, emotionally astute writing' leaves audiences gripped throughout
By The Week UK Published
-
The myth of 'healthy' moderate drinking
Under The Radar The shaky logic that a daily tipple can lengthen your life has been a 'propaganda coup for the alcohol industry'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published