Which white grape variety is used to make the French wine Sancerre?

The white grape variety used to make white Sancerre is Sauvignon Blanc.

Sancerre is a French appellation in the eastern Loire Valley, southeast of Orléans. Its best-known wines are dry, white, and made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, a green-skinned grape valued for its fresh acidity and vivid aromas. Depending on the vineyard and ripeness, Sancerre can show citrus, green apple, herbs, floral notes, or a distinctive mineral character.

The region’s soils help create differences between individual wines. Limestone and Kimmeridgian marl can lend richness and texture, while flint-rich sites are often associated with smoky or gunflint-like nuances. Winemakers commonly aim to preserve the grape’s freshness, using limited oak and often avoiding malolactic fermentation.

A common mix-up is assuming all Sancerre is white. The appellation also permits red and rosé wines made from Pinot Noir. Nevertheless, when people say “Sancerre” without qualification, they usually mean the famous white Loire wine made from Sauvignon Blanc. It is related in style and geography to Pouilly-Fumé, produced across the Loire River.