Domaine des Ballandors, Quincy
NOTE : You need a mix of any 6 bottles to checkout - we ship in multiples of 6 bottles with a 6 bottle minimum.
Tasting Notes
Bright pale yellow in colour with lively aromas of citrus, Granny Smith apple and freshly-cut grass, supported by subtle floral nuances. The palate is refreshing, with fine acidity supporting an excellent lemon intensity. The finish is long and lingering with gentle mineral notes alongside the round fruit flavours.
Producer
Quincy was the first French white wine appellation to be given AOC status in 1936, but it is nearby Sancerre that has grabbed the limelight. Jean Tatin, renowned as a ‘pioneer’ of the region, has reinvented Quincy as a region of high quality, vineyard-driven Sauvignon Blanc. Jean’s meticulous approach and mastery of this grape variety has influenced many, including Sébastien Vaillant, who trained with Jean before moving to Vignerons de Valençay. Jean’s youngest daughter Maroussia has now joined the family business.
Domaine des Ballandors has 25 hectares in Quincy, which are situated to the west of Sancerre. The Sauvignon Blanc vines are planted on sandy soil over the Kimmeridgian limestone that is characteristic of the region. This gives the flinty, mineral flavours that are typical of the Ballandors wines.
The majority of the fruit for the Quincy is sourced predominantly from old vines up to 40 years old. No oak is used, so the purity of the Sauvignon shines through in the glass, making this wine a superb value alternative to Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé.
Vineyards
The grapes for this Quincy are grown in four parcels of vines situated in the heart of the Quincy appellation, on the left bank of the river Cher. Each of the parcels has a slightly different soil: 'Chaumoux' and 'Les Ballandors' are on clayey gravel over a limestone base, giving the wines their characteristic minerality, whereas 'Les Victoires' and 'Le Pressoir' are on a mixture of sand and clay and produce wines renowned for their bright aromatics.