Domaine Roger & Christophe Moreux Caractère Sancerre 2020

Domaine Moreux’s 2020 Caractère Sancerre sports a rich ruby robe that captures the eye, while the wine’s sensuous bouquet, redolent with the scents of fresh raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, and cedar, dazzles the nose. In the mouth, the wine is elegant, juicy, and packed with vibrant berry flavors that flow on a bed of light, laser-like tannins. Fresh acidity provides a racy, thirst quenching finish. The epitome of Pinot Noir from Sancerre, the 2020 Domaine Moreux Caractère presents itself well: one could easily mistake this comely Sancerre Pinot Noir for a fine red Burgundy. Moreover, it should age gracefully for years to come. For optimal enjoyment, we suggest providing Domaine Moreux’s 2020 Caractère Sancerre at least 20-30 minutes of aeration before serving it at cool room temperature (58°-62° F). Anticipated maturity: 2024-2027. Enjoy!

While white Sancerre touts itself as the ultimate seafood wine and Paris bistros and upscale restaurants around the world pour it with abandon, red Sancerre and Domaine Moreux’s 2020 Caractère Sancerre in particular provide an ideal companion to meat, poultry, cheese, and roasted vegetables. Traditional Burgundian classics such as Coq au Vin and Boeuf Bourguignon offer enviable company. Whether it is traditional French country fare, a creamy mushroom risotto, or a succulent veal chop, this wine is well suited for savory simple and sophisticated fare. Roast chicken, duck, and poultry also provide exemplary complements, especially if served with wild rice, stuffing, or roasted root vegetables. On a lighter note, marinated grilled salmon filets, served with roasted fennel offers another outstanding complement to this wine. In addition, any cream or truffle based sauce will bring out all the latent goodness in this lovely Pinot Noir. In fact, this is a versatile Pinot Noir that easily complements a variety of menus. Last but hardly the least, consider finishing a bottle of the Moreux brothers’ delicious Caractère Sancerre with a fine cheese such as Sancerre’s own regional specialty – Crottin de Chavignol. Bon Appétit!

Domaine Roger & Christophe Moreux is a family estate located in the tiny hamlet of Chavignol, a village of barely 200 inhabitants along the Upper Loire River whose people are as renowned for their wine as they are for their cheese – Crottin de Chavignol – which also has its own appellation. Roger and Christophe are the present Moreux proprietors and vignerons, but they are certainly not the first from the Moreux family to bear those titles. The Moreux family has been making wine in Sancerre since the 16th century, which earns the Moreux brothers the recognition as one of the oldest wine families in the entire region. More importantly, the brothers Moreux have learned a thing or two from their ancestral lineage – namely how to make world class white and red Sancerre.

Roger and Christophe cultivate just 10 hectares (24 acres) of vines from which they fashion six special Sancerre offerings: four very tasty, traditional white Sancerre wines from 100% Sauvignon Blanc; a Sancerre Pinot Noir; and a Sancerre Rosé. All are entitled to bear the appellation designation Sancerre. And, as Domaine Moreux is a member of Vignerons Indépendants, a prestigious group of elite, independent wine growers, all this domaine’s wines are certified for authenticity and exceptional quality, but then one taste of any of this estate’s wines can speak to the quality one can expect from Domaine Roger & Christophe Moreux.

Sancerre is an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) for wines produced in fourteen villages near the town of Sancerre. This appellation lies to the southeast of Orléans, along the upper reaches of the Loire Valley. Sancerre is considered by many to be the spiritual home of Sauvignon Blanc, as the appellation’s greatest claim to fame lies in the production of a crisp, elegant, eminently drinkable white wine made exclusively from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Yet, Sancerre also produces a growing quantity of red wine, all from Pinot Noir. Although most wine lovers associate Sancerre with only white wine, the chalky, limestone-rich soil of Sancerre is ideal for the cultivation of both Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir – with Pinot Noir constituting 20% of the appellation’s production. Sancerre was one of the first wines to be awarded appellation status by the French government in 1936.

As if the crafting of some of the world’s purest, most enjoyable white wine is not sufficient acclaim, Sancerre also fashions very fine dry rosé from Pinot Noir and a juicy, aromatic red Pinot Noir that rivals the village wines of Burgundy. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are the only legal grape varieties permitted in Sancerre.

Crottin de Chavignol, the Loire Valley’s finest goat cheese is also made in Sancerre. It was awarded its own appellation status in 1976. It ranks among the finest cheeses of France and it pairs beautifully with Sancerre’s incomparable Sauvignon Blanc. Try it, too, with the appellation’s red wine.