The Wine

Sancerre blanc

The winemaking at Domaine du Carroir Perrin bears the stamp of traditional husbandry and modern technology. Stainless steel tanks with temperature regulation help to produce a white wine, made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape, that is crisp, fresh and clean-cut, with a powerful bouquet reminiscent of grass, nettles, gooseberries or blackcurrants. The flavour is always fresh and full of mouthwatering fruit, with just the right amount of balancing acidity - it is extremely 'moreish'. Delicious when young, it develops a more complex flavour when kept for a couple of years and is certainly a top-quality example of the appellation.

Wonderful on its own as an aperitif, white Sancerre is the ideal accompaniment for goat's cheese, particularly the local crottin. Due to its deliciously fruity acidity it makes a good partner for lots of tricky foods - asparagus is one - and with pasta or white meat in a tomato-based sauce it is one of the best choices available. To experience the typical freshness of white Sancerre it is best enjoyed relatively young - within two to three years of the vintage.

Sancerre rouge 

Red Sancerre is made from Burgundy's Pinot Noir grape, and is only produced in relatively small quantities, hence it is seldom seen outside France. It is however quite different from red burgundy, in that most is drunk relatively young. Yet it is a beguiling wine, which, having undergone a touch of oak ageing to add a bit of complexity, develops a smooth, vanilla-fruity richness after a couple of years in bottle.

Try this red slightly chilled to accompany a summer picnic - very refreshing. Older bottles, with their low tannins, will happily accompany grilled pork, lamb chops and hard cheeses.