Producer: Elisa Gueneau
Wine: 2025 Sancerre Blanc "La Guiberte"
Terroir: Calcareous clay soil, known as "Terres Blanches"
Varietal: 100% Sauvignon Blanc - no oak
Tasting Notes: Pale straw in color, this expressive Sancerre opens with fragrant notes of honeysuckle and wildflowers, layered with lime zest, grapefruit, and ripe stone fruit. Hints of fresh hay and subtle herbal notes add complexity, while green apple and juicy Anjou pear bring a touch of orchard-fruit richness to the nose.
The palate is bright and energetic, combining tangy Granny Smith apple and vibrant citrus with delicate tropical fruit and hints of lemon. Lively acidity and a crisp mineral backbone lend precision and freshness, balancing the wine’s ripe fruit character with an elegant, flinty edge. The finish is long, clean, and refreshing, with lingering notes of citrus zest, crushed stone, and classic Loire Valley minerality.
Food: Serve at 54°F by itself, as an Apéritif or with seafood and fish. The most famous pairing is Goat cheese - Crottin de Chavignol and is a perfect match.
Cellaring: Drink now through 2028
DOMAINE GUENEAU
Sury-en-Vaux, Sancerre
Covering 37 acres of sloping vineyards, the Gueneau estate is located in Sury-en-Vaux, Sancerre and Chavignol. The family owned and operated domaine was passed down to Alain from his parents. Today, Alain's daughter Elisa is the winemaker and manages the property herself. The prime vineyards are planted mostly with Sauvignon Blanc with small quantities of Pinot Noir. 80% of the estate is composed of “terres blanches” or white earth. The remaining 20% is made up of “caillottes”, soil strewn with tiny stones. The vines are pruned in single Guyot style. To combat erosion on very steep plots, grass is grown between the rows of vines except for a narrow strip at their base which is worked regularly. Environmentally friendly techniques are used based on necessity and climatic conditions. Elisa produces artisan and classic wines true to the Sancerre style and terroir.
