# Sancerre À Chavignol Blanc (2025)

- **Producer:** Domaine Gérard Boulay
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sauvignon Blanc
- **Region:** Loire, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €26
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, grapefruit, lime, peach, apricot, herbaceous, cream

## About this wine

Domaine Gérard Boulay is situated in Chavignol, one of the most famous crus within the Sancerre appellation of the Loire Valley. The Boulay family history in Chavignol dates back to land archives from 1380. Gérard Boulay took over the estate in 1976 and today works alongside his son Thibaut. The estate's plots are planted on steep slopes rich in Kimmeridgian limestone marls and stony Oxfordian limestone, bringing notable regional distinction and longevity to their wines.

## Interesting facts

- The Boulay family line has been growing vines in Chavignol continuously since at least 1380.
- Fermentation relies 100% on native yeasts without added commercial yeasts, enzymes, or chaptalisation.
- Vineyard work on the steep slopes requires manual labor or light tracked tractors to preserve soil structure.

## Food pairing

The wine's razor-sharp natural acidity and intense limestone-driven profile cut seamlessly through creamy, tangy cheeses like goat cheese. The high acidity also enhances fresh seafood and shellfish by matching citrus-based preparations without overpowering delicate fish flavors.

## Wine making process

Farmed under practicing organic methods since 1990 without synthetic chemicals, the vines average 35 to 45 years of age. Grapes are entirely hand-harvested in small crates. Winemaking follows minimal-intervention principles with gentle pneumatic pressing, static cold clarification, and spontaneous fermentation triggered solely by indigenous wild yeasts. The wine ages on its fine lees for 8 to 9 months in stainless steel tanks with a small portion in large neutral wooden foudres.