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Post by roundtowngirl on Dec 6, 2007 17:30:52 GMT -5
I so VERY MUCH enjoyed the several bottles of Sancerre while in Paris that I thought that a bottle would make a lovely gift to our close friends this Christmas. Here is my dilemma...I never stopped to look at exactly which brand I was ordering while in Paris and now that I am going to order a case (or two) I don't know what to get. Anyone out there have a recommendation? I don't want to gift a "so-so" bottle to my friends, but I also can't afford a $50 bottle for everyone. Help!!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Dec 6, 2007 18:00:43 GMT -5
I'm not a Sancerre (or, more generally, white wine) drinker, but check Robert Parker guides for ratings as a starting point, then check Costco (they sometimes have surprising bargains, but varies from one store to another so you will need to go in and check) or Bev Mo or your local liquor discounter for sources.
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Post by greyghost1 on Dec 6, 2007 18:28:51 GMT -5
Not sure where in Ohio you live, but near Cleveland Heights...prob. Mayfield Heights, I have been to Costco with my sis and I was surprised at the wine selection there. Don't remember any Sancerre, tho. Except you have to obey those arcane Ohio blue laws...... Buy a current copy of the Wine Spectator -it always has good reccs.
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Post by greyghost1 on Dec 6, 2007 18:42:19 GMT -5
I don't know if you can order from this wine shop-in Costa Mesa... but www.hitime.net is the site. I just looked up Loire Valley Sancerre and they had some descriptions. You also could call that wine shop in NYC-Sherry Lehmann- maybe? They should have an 800 number...Hi Time Wines has a 800 number. Just call it and ask about the sancerre wines they sell. The shipping from NYC has to be cheaper than CA. |
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Post by susanb on Dec 19, 2007 22:59:13 GMT -5
I have never had Sancerre. Is it a sweet after dinner wine, light fruity, etc. It always sounds so good when you all sit down somewhere and have your bottle. I don't drink but the sound of this makes me want to at least try!
Susan
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Post by GitteK on Dec 20, 2007 0:19:40 GMT -5
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Post by Jody on Dec 20, 2007 6:41:12 GMT -5
Sancerres also come in red and rose. They are light , but still have some body and are quite fruity. The rouge is one of my favorites Which did you enjoy? Maybe you could do a mixed case for your gift.
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Post by GitteK on Dec 20, 2007 7:57:41 GMT -5
demarais, yes I found out later, that they also come in rosé and rouge too. But I have only tasted the white version. This is my all time favorite in Paris, for entrées, fish and between-meals-drinks (that is, next to champoose.......naturellement).
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Post by geordy on Dec 20, 2007 7:57:45 GMT -5
I enjoy Sancerre, white and red(usually served a bit chilled) often in Paris. Alas I rarely buy bottles here because I don't think that much, as compared to other wines, is imported and it tends to be way overpriced. Perhaps a place that specializes in wine, not just a liquor or grocery(where wine is sold our non-murrican friends, varies state to state!  ) store is your best bet. Or one of Gitte's sites..probably best since you are in Ohio....where is wine sold in Ohio? Here in NY the only alcohol you can buy in groceries is beer...and "cooking wine"  But I think your idea of sharing your discovery is a great gift idea! I did that with some of the bottles we had shipped from Burgundy a few years back! |
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Post by holger on Dec 20, 2007 9:10:41 GMT -5
 I also like Sancerre. Generally prefer the white. If you enjoy this , you may also want to try Aligote which is also a white and I will order it as my first choice whnever it is available.
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Post by GitteK on Dec 20, 2007 9:28:36 GMT -5
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Post by Happygoin on Dec 20, 2007 9:31:34 GMT -5
You read my mind, Gitte....I thought it might be the perfect accompaniment to aligot ;D.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Dec 20, 2007 9:33:11 GMT -5
Aligote is, I think, the classic Kir white wine and also good on its own (assuming, of course, that one is a white wine drinker  ). I never knew that Sancere was anything but white - thanks for that bit of knowledge! |
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Post by geordy on Dec 20, 2007 10:02:54 GMT -5
Right Becky..we had plenty of aligote kirs and glasses of aligote in Beaune and Dijon! And I find it more reasonably priced here than Sancerre. Not sure how it would pair with aligot...and the meats it is usually served with! Unless you do not drink red. |
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Post by sistereurope on Dec 20, 2007 10:31:26 GMT -5
One of my goals for this trip is to get my mom to branch out and to try some white wines. She usually will only have red and she loves her cabs and her shiraz'es...I did get her to try and to admit to liking a Vouvray in the past...what are some other "full-bodied" French whites that you all like? I always thought of a white Sancerre as being kind of flinty and crisp (don't you love that "wine-speak?!)
Me, I'm not quite as discriminating in Paris as I am when I'm here...give me a pichet of the house red or white in Paris and I'm usually QUITE content!! ;D
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Post by GitteK on Dec 20, 2007 12:42:41 GMT -5
sister, not that I know the next thing about those matters (Irish, where are you when we need you ??!!), but maybe you should go for some Alsace stuff, like Gewürtztraminer or Tokay Pinot Gris - those are "full-bodied" as far as I remember.
Vouvray is kind of sweetish (demi-sec), isn't it ??
The words to say to the waiter would maybe be something like
"puissant"
"riche"
"avec une bouche grasse" (? In DK we call full-bodied white wines "fat in the taste")
"ample et rond"
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Post by rssilverandlight on Dec 20, 2007 13:05:02 GMT -5
Both my wife and I enjoy Sancerre. There seems to be many producers of the wine and we have never had a bad bottle yet. |
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Post by susanb on Dec 20, 2007 16:24:21 GMT -5
Gitte! You read my mind too. I thought that Aligote was potatos.........I need to pay more attention! The wine sounds light, fruity and perfect for summer out on the terrace. I don't even drink the stuff but for no reason other than I don't drink anything. There are no religious reasons. Mostly, I'm afraid of overdrinking. So thanks for your help. It does sound good.
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Post by susanb on Dec 20, 2007 16:34:26 GMT -5
add;I did have a Kir on our first visit to France but I didn't think that it tasted much like anything.
What do you suppose that it was made off? I think that it was pink.
Susan
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Post by joan1 on Dec 21, 2007 2:12:16 GMT -5
Susan, Kir is just a glass of white wine with some Creme de Cassis( Blackcurrant liquor) in it. Kir Royale is same made with champane instead of wine. Taste varies somewhat based on taste of wine( and amount of liquor added, the more you add the sweeter(and pinker) the drink) ,, I personally would not "Kir" a good wine, but rather I use it with less expensive white wine. I suppose one would be wiser to use a good wine, but I actually prefer red to white anyways.
So , for me, Kirs are for hot days in the sun,, yum yum. Kir Royales are a special favorite of mine also, but at 10 euros plus they are a treat.
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) store is your best bet. Or one of Gitte's sites..probably best since you are in Ohio....where is wine sold in Ohio? Here in NY the only alcohol you can buy in groceries is beer...and "cooking wine" 
). I never knew that Sancere was anything but white - thanks for that bit of knowledge!
hahahha