Domaine Jean-Paul Balland

Sancerre is an especially priveliged wine growing location, proudly dominating some of the most beautiful scenery in the Loire valley.

The famous Sauvignon Blanc appellation is located on the left bank of the Loire, across from Pouilly-Fumé.

The grape is grown all along the Loire River, throughout Touraine, but it reaches its apogee in the eastern Loire, at Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, because of the region's chalk, flint and marl soils.

At its best, and with meticulous vineyard management and skilled handling in the cellar, Sancerre combines the piercing, aromatic fruit qualities of the grape variety with the dry-as-a-bone, minerally, stony character derived from its special location - what the French call "terroir".

Sancerre can achieve this because it's not a mass-produced wine.

The Balland family own some of the best vineyards in this famous area, producing wines of a pale golden colour and an assertive bouquet of gooseberry and lemon with a delightful supple finish.

DECANTER WORLD WINE AWARDS 2009:

SILVER FOR THE SANCERRE WHITE WINE AOC 2008

"Quite minerally with some tropical fruits. really attractive. Starts off very gentle but then builds texture and weight. Really good."

SILVER FOR THE GRANDE CUVEE AOC 2007

"Very ripe exotic fruit and toasty oak nose, nice purity, full and ripe, soft and clean in the mouth. Long fresh finish."

White Wine from Domaine Jean-Paul Balland:

Sancerre - Domaine Jean~Paul Balland	2010	£14.95
Sancerre 'Grande Cuvée' - Domaine Jean-Paul Balland	2009	£17.95

Rosé from Domaine Jean-Paul Balland:

Domaine Jean-Paul Balland - Sancerre Rosé	2009	£14.95

Click here to visit the Domaine Jean-Paul Balland vineyard website