Domaine Emile Balland Sancerre 'Croq Caillotte' 2022

Classy, refined Sancerre. This is as good as it gets, and proof that it's worth seeking out smaller producers to find terrific value and quality. Flinty, citrusy and a touch floral, with flavours of green apple and gooseberry. Lovely silky texture with a real zest and verve on the finish. Just beautiful with fleshy white fish and a match made in heaven with goats cheese.

This tiny 6.5 hectare domaine in the Loire was started by Emile Balland in 1999. The Ballands have been making wines in the Loire since 1650. Emile has just one hectare of Sancerre and this cuvée comes from the steep, south facing slopes of the Amigny area of Sancerre.  His philosophy is to intefere as little as possible in the vineyard and let the vines express their true terroir.  Since 2019 he has been using the services of ‘Viking’, a horse to plough parts of his vineyards. He calls his Sancerre Croq Caillotte in recognition of the flavour imparted by the white stones covering the vineyards, and which are the hallmark of Sancerres terroir.