The world class Sauvignon blancs of Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire

Our one-day Sancerre wine tour is the perfect excursion for guests who are looking for a full-day in the heart of the French countryside where they can experience the charm and beauty of rural France, learn about and drink their favourite wines and meet the local people. These tours really are the perfect introduction to the world-class Sauvignon blanc wines of the Central Loire Valley as they focus on the vineyards either side of the river Loire roughly 200km south-west of Paris. Here the predominantly limestone soils and semi-continental climate make this home to some of the finest Sauvignon blanc wines in the world, with household names such as Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé being the best known. However you will also discover some rare wines from more recently created appellations such as the Coteaux du Giennois or Menetou Salon where a handful of wine-growers produce delightful, excellent value-for-money Sauvignon blanc wines.

And red wine lovers, please do not despair, as the region also produces some great pinots, especially from around Sancerre where some 20% of the production is still dedicated to cultivating this varietal.

The great river Loire is omnipresent here and its proximity to Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire not only provided an important route for the transportation of the region's wines, it also creates a micro-climate favorable for the production of great wines.

During your Sancerre wine tour with us you will learn, amongst many other things, all about the history of winemaking in the Sancerre and Pouilly sur Loire appellations, the essential role played by the medieval monastic orders in developing the vineyards and perfecting wine growing techniques. Throughout the day with us you will also find out about the influence of soil composition in the development of aromas and style of wine and the different “terroirs” that produce the diversity of styles of Sauvignon blanc wines. It will also be your opportunity to gain insights into vineyard techniques such as canopy management and pruning as well as the fascinating subject of organic, biodynamic and natural wine-making techniques which are gaining favour with producers and consumers alike.

And of course, we offer a very unique service as we can assist in organising the shipment of your favourite wines from the vineyard to your very doorstep !