Sancerre, a dramatically situated hilltop town on the left bank of the upper Loire in France, lends its name to one of the Loire's most famous wines. The average altitude of the Sancerre hills is between 200 and 400M. The Sauvignon grape has adapted well to many of the varied , terroirs,  around Sancerre where, in 14 different communes, vines are cultivated, particularly on south-facing slopes.

There are 3 different areas: the western vineyards are made up of clay and limestone soils that produce quite powerful wines, those between here and the town of Sancerre are high in gravel as well as limestone and produce quite delicate wines and those close to Sancerre itself are rich in flint and yield longer-living, particularly perfumed wines.

Alphonse Mellot inherits a tradition ,vigneron, which has been passed from father to son since 1513. This great heritage can now be enjoyed in the superb Sancerres that led the Wine Spectator to comment: "The Domaine is a revelation in style - the sunny side of Sancerre -"

Grapes:   100% Sauvignon Blanc with a south west exposure

Age:          Produced from old La Moussiere vines between 40 and 87 years old   

Density:   8000 to 10000 vines/ha           

Yield:        41hl/ha

Area:         6 ha                                          

Soil:          Limestone

Harvest:   The grapes are picked in small 25kg boxes. All the grapes are sorted by a sorting table and transported into the press by conveyor belt (whole grape pressing).

Viticulture: Simple Guyot method or Royat Cordon pruning. The vineyard is trained in organic and biodynamic vine growing.

Ageing:      It is aged on its fine lees and regularly pumped over a variable ageing period depending on the year (10 to 14 months on average)

Production:  26000 bottles per annum

Serve:        At 10-12°C as an aperitif or 12 - 14°C

Taste:         An elegant, dry white wine with a good balance of fruit and wood.  Rich and harmonious with a long and elegant finish.  A wonderfully concentrated wine of great character.  Will age well.