Domaine des Clairneaux, Sancerre, France
Jean-Marie Berthier created this domaine from scratch in 1980 in the north of the appellation. He grows the two classic grape varieties of the Sancerre appellation, Sauvignon Blanc for the whites and Pinot Noir for the rosé and reds on the slopes above Sainte-Gemme-en-Sancerre. He aims for delicate, refreshing wines that reflect their origins in this classic Loire valley region. His 8 or so hectares are fifty-fifty chalky clay and flint and are exposed to long hours of sunlight so his wines have a combination of ripe fruit flavours as well as expressing the lovely, natural, flintiness of Sancerre.

2007 Sancerre Blanc
A delicious, stylish, balanced Sancerre that drinks beautifully early on and develops well with age. Quite a ripe style for Sancerre with almost New Zealand like gooseberry fruit along with pear and apple. Zesty but ripe acidity, lovely minerality (anchoring it firmly in Sancerre!) and a clean, long finish.

2007 Sancerre Rosé
A beautiful glass of wine - it even looks gorgeous. 100% Pinot Noir rosé of delicacy and elegance. Medium bodied with fabulous summer pudding fruit; strawberry, redcurrant and raspberry. Stunning.