The Coteaux du Giennois is the appellation that borders Sancerre, immediately to the north. And the very finest examples, like this, from steep hillside vineyards almost entirely composed of the flint-laden limestone silex soil that makes Sancerre so unique and compelling, can be better than just about any Sancerre at twice their price.
Importer Peter Weygandt sums this one up well:
Medium straw yellow. Fruity bouquet with plenty of peach, apricot, and melon. More stone fruit flavors on the nicely textured palate, with an overlay of quince and lots of minerality from the terroir. This wine truly represents value, with brilliant Sauvignon Blanc raciness and character at a fraction of the price it merits.
I’m pretty confident that if we put this in a blind tasting of good $30 to $50 Sancerres, not only would everyone believe it was a Sancerre; they’d place it near the top of the heap.
