Sancerre, Sincerite & Summer In the City                                                                  by: Lauren

We all have all been there. That's why its called cliche.

I had just moved to New York, found an illegal sublet in a rent controlled apartment in the East Village and had myself a date with a man about 20 years my senior who worked for a Rock n' Roll magazine. He named the place. Of course, it was an unmarked wine bar on the Lower East Side. I showed up late. He was waiting at the bar drinking a pale white wine in a stemless glass. We ordered tapas and I asked him what he was drinking. "Sancerre. Its from France. Its like a drier Sauvignon Blanc."

In short, our date was an end-in-sight distaster that fizzled out in a West Village speak easy-- I told you it was cliche. I went back to my life and he back to his, but I never forgot the name of the wine he was drinking, although the decription, as I discovered later, was inaccuarate.

When I began to work for the fine fellows at Premier Cru, I quickly came to understand the specifics of the magical Sancerre. There was no question that I could ask that they would not concisely answer. One of the greatest things about learning about wine is that it is a bit like learning about life itself. You can consult the teachers and the encyclopedia, but the best thing to do is to open a bottle for yourself -- which, needless to say, is exactly what I did.

Sancerre is the perfect mix of whimsy and elegance in a glass. Fresh open citrus notes, grassy and a bit floral at times. Indeed, the grape used is Sauvignon Blanc, but it is not drier, than say, a Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough County, Bordeaux or Napa. Sancerre is more complex, more nuanced. The mystery of Sancerre is as much in the making of the wine as it is in the soil, which is very claylike and rich in limestone. Limestone is what gives Sancerre its great minerality, herbacious undertones and lean floral notes.

This month, its all about Sancerre: Summer in a Glass. Grassy, floral, citrusy, with gooseberries, white currants and nettles.

We have a few in stock right now.

Domaine de Bellecours ($19): very fresh, great up-front citrus notes and a little grassy. Picnic friendly = screw top.

Domaine de la Croix St. Laurent ($22): classic citrus and grassy flavors, with under currents of gooseberries.

Fournier ($25): delicate with the classic Sancerre profile of grass, citrus, goosberries and slight hint of nettles on the palate and a lush floral and herbacious nose.

And after much ado, the famed Sincerite is back in stock. This is my favorite of our $10 and under wines. Sincerite is a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley that is similar in character to a Sancerre. Sincerite is a bolder white that is crisp, with loads of gooseberries, white delicate flowers, and grapefruit rind on the palate and a floral nose. It is perfect for the days of summer when you open your home to your friends and family for barbeques, trips to the country, graduation parties or whatever your Summer celebration may be. Sincerite is outfitted with a screw top, so its very practical for picnics and the like.

Summer is upon us, even though, I think we can agree that the weather has been a little spotty these days. So drop in the store, we're here for a friendly conversation and even a little tune. You may walk in while Michael is picking at his guitar and lately its all about Leiber & Stoller. The greatest songwriting team of the 20th Century, who are most famous for writing "Hound Dog", "Stand by Me" and "Kansas City" among many other great American classics. Michael and I were fortunate enough to have been invited to their book release party, by a very generous client here at Premier Cru (we really do have the best clients) where Leiber & Stoller preformed a beautiful rendition of their hit made famous by the infamous Peggy Lee "Is That All There Is?". It was an intimate and beautiful soiree and everything from the drinks to the music on duelling Steinways was beautifully orchestrated.

Attendees were served an appropriately named, and might I add, delicious cocktail "Love Potion No. 9", which is Prosecco and a splash of St. Germaine elderflower liquieur with a small piece of watermelon and a mint leaf for garnish. Delicious and eye-catching.

Grab yourself a copy of the Leiber & Stoller biography Hound Dog, which will be in your neighborhood book stores very soon and join in on the conversation. We look forward to seeing you soon for Sancerre and other Summer treats.

Sincerely,

The Cru