The best wines from Nivernais in France

The name Nivernais or Centre, as this wine region in the Loire Valley is also called, probably means nothing to most wine lovers. But that does not apply to the five appellations that make it up: Sancerre, Quincy, Pouilly-sur-Loire, Reuilly and Mentou-Salon. Certainly not the least of the Loire Valley.

Sancerre is undoubtedly the best known of the five. Thanks to the spicy, refined and refreshing white wines of Sauvignon Blanc that come from there.

In Sancerre - and also in the other appellations of the Nivernais - red wine and rosé are also pressed from Pinot Noir, although these are considerably less well known. Even less well known is that you can combine the red Pinot Noirs from Nivernais slightly chilled with firm fish such as salmon or catfish.

Sauvignon Blanc is also important in the other appellations of Nivernais. The soil contains lime and flint and Sauvignon Blanc can't get enough of that. Well-known and renowned is the Pouilly Fumé (often confused with the Pouilly Fuissé from Burgundy) which, it will come as no surprise, is made in Pouilly-sur-Loire.

For almost all wines from Niverais, it is important to drink them young, because they have to rely on their exuberant fresh acids and these do not become more exuberant if they have to wait a long time before ending up in the glass.