Sancerre is just off the N77 - N7 roughly an hour and half away from Les Royautes, for a natural break in your journey why not visit our good friends the “Henry Bourgeois” family? Who for many years have produced the finest quality Sancerre, which has made them world famous.

www.henri-bourgeoise.com

There you will be received with a warm welcome and a cold white wine. They have wine tasting seven days a week and it is completely free with no obligation to buy, but why miss out on a chance to buy the best directly from the producer? There are many restaurants in and around the area of Sancerre and they all boast a wonderful wine list.

Sancerre is an official AOC appellation of the Loire valley in France. Confusingly, this area is often referred to as the “Central vineyards” confusing, because though roughly in the centre of France, it is in the north eastern limit of the Loire valley. The greatest name of the region is undoubtedly Sancerre.

Sancerre represents 2700 hectares of vineyards, which yields an annual average production of 16.5 million litres. The world famous wine of the region is Sauvignon Blanc, the best of which comes from the chalky hills around the town of Sancerre. At its best, Sancerre is an incredibly vivid pungent wine, with grassy, gooseberry aromas and plenty of acidity. White Sancerre is both dry and fruity, and should be served cool around 12°C and they match perfectly with seafood and with the famous French cheese “Crottins de Chavignol” , a local goat cheese speciality.

Red Sancerre is Pinot Noir and can rival some of the best Pinot Noirs of Burgundy... Sancerre’s clay and limestone soils called Terre Blanches (white soils) deliver a range of full bodied wines, while its pure limestone soils give light and fruity wines, and although less common it requires a sunny vintage to ripen, and can be very good, top Sancerre producers include Bourgeois, de Ladoucette, Cotat, Chateau de Tracy and Crochet.

Red Sancerre’s should be served at 15°C, its ideal companions are white meats and mild cheeses.
Just across the river lies Pouilly-Fumé, home of very similar wines though prices are now creeping up to similar levels Pouilly-Fumé is said to pick up subtle, flinty flavours from Silex the flint rich soil of the area.

Les Roayutes does not in any way condone drink driving and please drink responsibly when visiting the vineyards.
To ensure a warm welcome and excellent service at les Royautes don’t forget to bring a bottle for the resident connoisseur.