Wines by region / Loire Valley / Quincy
Cher
The vineyards of Quincy are located in the center of France in the Cher département. It is part of the large network of Loire Valley vineyards, found in the eastern area not far from the vineyards of Sancerre, Reuilly, Menetou-Salon, and Pouilly-Fumé.
Quincy has a very long wine history. It was the first wine-growing region in central France to obtain its appellation status. The Cher River runs through the appellation and divided the occupied and unoccupied sides of France during World War II.
Centuries earlier, a Benedictine monastery was located on the right side of the river. Consequently, the majority of vines was planted on this side. Since that time, the majority of plantings has been on the rive gauche or left bank of the Cher. One of the big fears in Quincy is the spring frosts, which in 1991 wiped out a large part of the eventual harvest. In 2000, large windmills were installed throughout the vineyards of Quincy that spray warm steam in the air to prevent frost and damage to the vines.
Quincy Terroir
Soils in Quincy have much less limestone than those of Sancerre and much less flint than those of Pouilly. Quincy's terroir is primarily sand intermingled with gravel. This soil provides earlier budding and maturation, and the Quincy harvest precedes that of Sancerre by about a week.
Sandy soil also gives Sauvignon Blanc (the only varietal permitted) a bit more acidity and a bit less aging potential. What results is a zippy white with plenty of citrus and herbal flavors, kept in check with an underlying minerality and crisp acidity.
The vineyards of Quincy are located in the center of France in the Cher département. It is part of the large network of Loire Valley vineyards, found in the eastern area not far from the vineyards of Sancerre, Reuilly, Menetou-Salon, and Pouilly-Fumé.
Quincy has a very long wine history. It was the first wine-growing region in central France to obtain its appellation status. The Cher River runs through the appellation and divided the occupied and unoccupied sides of France during World War II.
Centuries earlier, a Benedictine monastery was located on the right side of the river. Consequently, the majority of vines was planted on this side. Since that time, the majority of plantings has been on the rive gauche or left bank of the Cher. One of the big fears in Quincy is the spring frosts, which in 1991 wiped out a large part of the eventual harvest. In 2000, large windmills were installed throughout the vineyards of Quincy that spray warm steam in the air to prevent frost and damage to the vines.
Quincy Terroir
Soils in Quincy have much less limestone than those of Sancerre and much less flint than those of Pouilly. Quincy's terroir is primarily sand intermingled with gravel. This soil provides earlier budding and maturation, and the Quincy harvest precedes that of Sancerre by about a week.
Sandy soil also gives Sauvignon Blanc (the only varietal permitted) a bit more acidity and a bit less aging potential. What results is a zippy white with plenty of citrus and herbal flavors, kept in check with an underlying minerality and crisp acidity.