Nicolas Girard Sancerre Rouge 2021

Price drops to $22.95 per bottle when you order 6 or more!

Those of you in the know, know that Sancerre ROUGE is actually pinot noir. We can never get enough regular Sancerre as it is, but Sancerre Rouge barely ever makes its way to our tasting bar. We love the Girard family’s wines, and they consistently overdeliver – especially today at only $22.95!

This iconic Sancerre estate was established in 1875 and lies just outside of the town of Sancerre. The Girard family modernized the winery and vineyards when they bought the estate in 1973, and ever since it has become the base for not only the original estate, Domaine des Brosses – but also the offshoot brands by the new, younger generations of the Girard Clan. Alain Girard, Nicolas’ father, comes from several generations of winemakers in the tiny village of Chaudoux, located directly north of the famous town of Chavignol. Nicolas, alongside his brother, Anthony, has since taken over winemaking duties – and like their father before them – each has their own label, made in slightly different styles, from across the estate’s holdings (and some other unique parcels in surrounding regions like Menetou-Salon). This structure allows each winemaking generation to pursue their own experiments, while still growing within, and eventually re-shaping the house style for the next generation. Together, they are making a stunning portfolio of high-toned wines that are fresh, modern, and aromatically pure.

This 100% pinot noir is elegant and subtle, with bright red raspberry, tart cherries, and cranberry, framed by velvety soft tannins, and a crisp, yet balanced, acidity. Silky smooth on the approach with juicy cherry, strawberry jam, roasted beets, and notes of cracked pepper, iron ore, sweet pipe tobacco, and spice notes of cinnamon and clove. Its delicate red fruit flavors make for a lively, supple wine that is both supremely bright and pleasantly complex, with a zippy acidity and low astringency – making for a wonderful food wine that is as versatile as it is easy to drink.

Although sauvignon blanc is the leading varietal in the Sancerre region, approximately 20% of the appellation’s vineyards are planted with pinot noir grapes, the oldest variety in the region – there is evidence it's been planted in the Loire Valley since the Middle Ages. And while the Loire shares much of the same soils as Burgundy, it differs greatly in the weather. With colder nights and warmer days, pinot noir takes on a decidedly spicy edge and possesses more of a black pepper character than Burgundy, and typically expresses itself with a lighter color, and a leaner presence. Of course, the effects of climate change have affected that notion, and today, ripe and full Sancerre Rouge can be consistently achieved in a way not often possible in decades past.

Furthermore, the Girards, like most of Sancerre’s new generations of top vignerons, follow stricter standards of cellar tidiness and hygiene than the historical methods – further separating their Sancerre Rouge from the stereotype of “rustic” “green and mean” styles of pinot noir. It is widely believed to be the influence of local goat cheese makers, traditionally artisanal in scale, and people who knew the importance of a pristine environment. This almost medical level of cleanliness lends itself to an extremely pure iteration of pinot noir that stands among the very best examples of Sancerre Rouge...and beyond.

PAIRING IDEAS: Myriad options will work with this wine, from salmon to pork and game meats. Nevertheless, I’m cooking up a favorite with this wine...Chicken with Morels. The freshness of the wine perfectly balances the rich, creamy, and earthy sauce.