# Sancerre Sauvage (2022)

- **Producer:** Pascal Jolivet
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sauvignon Blanc
- **Region:** Loire, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €68
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** wet stones, gooseberry, grapefruit, grass, biscuit, bread dough

## About this wine

Pascal Jolivet's Sancerre Sauvage 2022 is a dry white wine from the Sancerre AOC in France's Loire Valley, crafted from 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The 'Sauvage' moniker reflects its natural winemaking approach, utilizing spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention. This method aims to express the purity, concentration, freshness, liveliness, minerality, complexity, and salinity of the organically grown grapes, which come from two hectares of old vines situated on limestone soils in the villages of Champtin and Bué-en-Sancerre. Pascal Jolivet established his winery in 1987, becoming known for his revolutionary commitment to indigenous yeasts, a philosophy that allows nature to fully express itself in the grapes. The winery is recognized internationally as a specialist in top wines from Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'Sauvage' means 'wild' in French, highlighting its natural winemaking.
- Fermented with native yeasts found on the grape skins.
- Organically grown on old vines in limestone soils.
- Bottled unfined and unfiltered for maximum purity.

## Food pairing

The wine's bright acidity cuts through the richness of seafood and buttery sauces, while its minerality complements the briny notes of shellfish. Herbal and citrus elements in the wine can echo or contrast with ingredients in lighter dishes.

## Wine making process

The Pascal Jolivet Sancerre Sauvage 2022 is produced from organically grown Sauvignon Blanc grapes sourced from old vines on limestone soils. The winemaking process emphasizes natural methods, beginning with spontaneous alcoholic fermentation using indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Following fermentation, the wine undergoes a twelve-month aging period on its lees, also in stainless steel. The wine is then bottled unfined and unfiltered, a practice that preserves its natural character and purity. This approach reflects a philosophy of minimal intervention, allowing the inherent qualities of the grapes and the Sancerre terroir to be expressed.