Kosher Food and Drink

Sancerre sits in the Central Vineyards of the Loire Valley, which spans 600 miles, and some of France’s most famous wine appellations. These vineyards benefit from the heat trapped from the River, or on slopes that get reflected light off the river, in their otherwise cool maritime climate.

This region is most suited for cool climate superstars, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. On the left bank of the River Loire, Sancerre AOC has chalky, stony siliceous soil, allowing for early, even ripening, as the flinty stones continue to radiate the sun’s warmth at night.

Since the 1990s when they made just two barrels of wine, Joost & Miguela de Villebois have been the proprietors of J. de Villebois, the well-respected winery which resides on this special parcel of land. During his rise in the business world, including becoming chairman of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange and vice chair of Euronext, Dutch businessman Joost de Villebois bought a 40 acre vineyard in Loire Valley’s Touraine in 2004, where he met Thierry Merlet, who would first consult then become winemaker for the winery in 2008. With the 2015 acquisition of Fournier Père et Fils in Sancerre, the Villebois-Fournier group would become one of the premiere producers in the region.

We have been fortunate to taste the Villebois, Sancerre, Cuvée Terroir, Silex, 2021, perhaps my favorite white wine of the past couple of years, and truly representative of its region and soil. And now, the Villebois, Sancerre, Rouge, 2022, a 100% Pinot Noir, aged in stainless steel tanks with a small percentage aged in oak barrels, to preserve the subtle elegance of the Pinot.

This is the only kosher red Sancerre available on the market, and first in about two decades.

Nose of fresh red fruit, cherry and raspberry, cherry blossom, flint, floral. The palate shows vibrant acidity and lush, elegant red fruit, medium, pleasant tannins. Nice. Drink now, with some air, until 2028, possibly longer.

$33, 12.5% ABV, non-mevushal