Nicolas Girard Sancerre Rouge 2023

Pinot Noir from Sancerre? Oh, yes – it’s a thing, and a very, very good thing at that. Chalky soils, warm and well-drained slopes, coupled with old-fashioned vineyard work and state-of-the-art winemaking technology, all go to show how Nicolas Girard can essentially do no wrong. This glorious, earthy Sancerre Rouge for under $30 is yet another showstopper from one of our go-to Sancerre producers.

You may have noticed – but we can’t get enough Nicolas Girard. This iconic Sancerre estate was established in 1875 and lies just outside of the town of Sancerre. The Girard family modernized the winery and vineyards when they bought the estate in 1973, and ever since, it has become the base for not only the original estate, Domaine des Brosses – but also the offshoot brands by the new, younger generations of the Girard Clan. With the insane demand for all things Sancerre these past several years, Nicolas Girard is our security blanket. We’ve directly imported them for years and sold truckloads of all sorts of their wines. Simply put, they’re our go-to in terms of exceptional quality and their incomparable value.

Alain Girard, Nicolas’s father, comes from several generations of winemakers in the tiny village of Chaudoux, located directly north of the famous town of Chavignol. Nicolas, alongside his brother, Anthony, has since taken over winemaking duties – and like their father before them – each has their own label, made in slightly different styles, from across the estate’s holdings. This structure allows each winemaking generation to pursue their own experiments, while still growing within, and eventually re-shaping the house style for the next generation. Together, they are making a stunning portfolio of high-toned wines that are fresh, modern, and aromatically pure.

Although you may better know Sancerre for its crisp, piquant Sauvignon Blanc, approximately 20% of the appellation’s vineyards are planted with Pinot Noir grapes, the oldest variety in the region – and there is evidence it's been planted in the Loire Valley since the Middle Ages. The Girards, like most of Sancerre’s new generations of top vignerons, follow stricter standards of cellar tidiness and hygiene than the historical methods – making Pinot Noir-based wines that are riper, fresher, and far cleaner than what was considered the typical style for generations. You’ll find a core of cranberries and crushed raspberries, all wrapped up in essences of white pepper, rose petals, black tea, damp earth, some eucalyptus, and black licorice, with a mineral-tinged backbone, tangy acidity, and silky light tannins. All this, for under $30?! Get enough to last you through Thanksgiving at least, and thank me later!

PAIRING IDEAS: Chicken Marsala. The tender chicken and buttery mushrooms in a garlicky, creamy sauce luxuriously balance the bright aspects of the wine. Serve over gnocchi with a side of little gem salad with truffle vinaigrette.