We have explored last week-end, le Sancerrois at the East end of the Loire Valley. This region is mostly famous for the vineyards of Sancerre where, since the Kings of France, the make one of the best white wine in France. They also make red wines, less famous, maybe not worth the detour.

They might remind you of the Burgundy white wine…Beaune is only 130 miles east.

Arrival to Sancerre - ©FJFY

 

Sancerre is a little town, perched on a rolling hill…which is kind of unusual in this area which is quite flat (mostly cultivated with cereals). The vineyards are on the hillsides, perfectly exposed to the sun.

Inside the town - ©FJFY

We let the expert talk about the Sancerre wine: “Wine expert Tom Stevenson describes the classic profile of Sancerre blanc as bone dry, highly aromatic with intense flavors of peaches and gooseberries.” (copyright Wikipédia)

 

Sancerre wines are made of Sauvignon vintage, they are very good…but we like even better the Pouilly Fumé, which is a very close vineyard, maybe little less famous (not as overpriced as Sancerre).

 

Emilie wine tasting - ©FJFY

Pouilly Fumé (also Sauvignon vintage) has an unusual flavor for a dry white wine: a strong flavor of musk and smoked. It is perfect with a Crottin de Chavignol cheese.

Do not confuse Pouilly Fumé with Pouilly Fuissé, a white wine from Burgundy.

If you would like to read more: http://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-sancerre

In Pouilly Fumé, we recommend Emmanuel Charrier, Domaine de l’Epineau. A brand new winemaker who has started 4 yeard ago and is already gold medal at the Paris wine contest. Domaine Charrier

In Sancerre: bio wine: Domaine Fouassier: http://www.fouassier.fr/accueil/wine.php

Domaine Fouassier is one of our favorite - ©FJFY

Then, like in all the Loire Valley, the local cheese, is made of goat milk. We have visited la Chèvrerie de La Fillouse in Suilly La Tour.

 

Guillaume & Jeanne at the goat cheese place - ©FJFY

 

Again met with a very brave farmer who have left the family cereal farm to bread his goats and make the local cheese: Crottins de Chavignol   (24/7 work!) Bravo!!! http://www.bienvenue-a-la-ferme.com/bourgogne/ferme-chevrerie-de-la-fillouse-231409/contact_plan_acces

Eventually, Sancerre has also some nice almond cake (very hard) that used to be dipped in the wine…when in the former times…the wine was not good enough to be drunk alone.

 

 

A special thanks to our friend Céline for the nice pictures!

France Just For You

Experts in self-drive tours in France

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Duncan & Myrna
This is our second trip with France Just for You. The expertly organized trip we experienced the first time, brought us back again. The B&Bs and the activities planned for us were diverse and totally enjoyable! Picnic in an active winery in harvest, cooking in a French kitchen, dune buggy ride in the vineyards at the base of Mont Ventoux all …
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Such a professional company and their attention to every detail was amazing. Car hire , French phone, tours and suggested stops were all fantastic. And the B& B’s in the country and wine districts were fabulous. The owners all very friendly and helpful as well as the accommodation being clean and beautiful. We cannot give enough praise for Emilie …
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Words cannot begin to describe how pleased we are with the 22 day trip that the France Just for You team created for us as we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. We normally plan our own trips but when we looked at France we became overwhelmed with how much we could do. We found the FJFY team and saw that they had all 5 star reviews. You can …
John
My wife and I recently engaged Emilie, of France Just For You, to plan a two week trip to Provence in the first two weeks of May. It was mid-March and we found Emilie during a web search of self-driving tours of France. What a find! Emilie responded within twenty-four hours with very specific questions, wanting to know more about us, our interests …
Kelly
My husband and our friends spent two weeks travelling around Northern France, the Loire Valley and Paris. Emilie provided us with a detailed itinerary that exceeded our expectations. The accommodations were excellent and unique providing us with a variety of B & B's. Her recommendations for tours and sights took into consideration our interests and …
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Dealing with Emilie is like having a personal concierge. The 10 day trip was perfect. She allowed time to relax and we were able to experience France like locals. This is our 8 th trip to France but after this tour, it will not be our last. Thank you Emilie!