Sancerre
Appellation Sancerre
controlée
controlée
Terroirs
Kimmeridgian marls: Terres Blanches
Found on the highest and westernmost hills of the Sancerre region, these calcareous clay soils date back to the Jurassic Period, notably the Kimmeridgian stage, comprising approximately 40% of the area of appellation. These marls are composed of 70% clay and 30% limestone. Dating back approximately 155 million years, these terroirs are extremely rich in fossilized shells and are whitish in colour when dry, giving them their name, which means “white earth”. This type of soil overlies the caillottes.
Oxfordian limestone: Caillottes
Located between the terres blanches terroirs and the town of Sancerre, this soil profile, which also constitutes approximately 40% of the area of appellation, contains an abundance of calcareous stones. These are the appellation’s oldest geological formations at approximately 160 million years. The surface is strewn with a visible layer of flat stones that have been split by frost due to rain washing the soil away from around the base of the vines.
Eocene siliceous clay formations: Silex
These formations border the Loire River on the hilltops in the eastern part of the appellation. Rich in flint, these soils ensure that the vines are continuously kept warm. They make up approximately 15% of the surface area under vine. At approximately 50 million years old, these are the area’s most recent geological formations.
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