Country: France Region: Loire Valley Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc Vintage: 2020 Colour: White Style: Dry  Description: Domaine des Brosses was established in 1875 and lies 10 kilometres south of the town of Sancerre... The Girard family modernised the winery and vineyards when they bought the estate in 1973. Nicolas Girard has now taken over his father’s 11 hectare estate and together with his brother Anthony, is making wines that are fresh, modern and aromatic. Both the brothers have travelled extensively throughout the wine world and have used the knowledge and experience acquired to underpin the style of their classic Sancerre. Vineyards The Girard family have six different parcels of Sancerre vineyards. Their hillside vineyards are located on classic clay and chalk soils, giving the grippy, mineral style expected of true Sancerre. Domaine des Brosses has used a machine harvester to collect the grapes since 1989. This is so that the Sauvignon Blanc is brought to the winery in the coolness of night-time, thus retaining the classic citrus and gooseberry aromas and flavours of Sancerre. Vintage information The beginning of the 2014 season showed promise, with good flowering. The weather was dry, sunny with constant temperatures. Despite good flowering in June, the summer months of July and August were mostly overcast and rainy, which increased the risk of rot in some areas and delayed maturity of grapes across the valley. While better September weather was a relief, the effects of the rainy, cool summer made harvest timing tricky and mandated meticulous work in the vineyards. Vinification Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to avoid oxidation. No oak was used, but the wine remained on its fine lees for several months to add weight to the palate and round the finish. Tasting Notes Bright and pale golden. A fresh, citrus palate has herbaceous notes of hay and nettle. Richly textured but with crisp acidity and textbook minerality. The finish is elegant with typical purity and refreshment of excellent Sancerre. Food Matches:Seafood / Fish / Cheese / Chicken