The Sancerrois terroirs | a geological, cultural and intangible heritage | Thibault Boulay

In many ways, the vineyards of Sancerre should be recognized as the archetype of terroir viticulture. The establishment and differentiation of its wine-growing terroirs began as early as the Carolingian era, and the main lines of the vineyard's cadastral framework, set in the 12th and 13th centuries, remain unchanged today. The concept of a wine "climat" was even documented in Sancerre over a century before it was used in the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits and Beaune. Therefore, the current landscape should be considered a unique and living conservatory of the pioneering work of generations of winemakers to differentiate and rank the terroirs based on their viticultural potential. This multi-century cultural landscape also serves as an asset for winemakers in the sustainable management of the vineyard ecosystem, as its fragmented land parcels harbor a rich biodiversity. The Sancerre terroirs are ultimately the result of a remarkable geological history that will now be highlighted by a Paleopark. The eight proposed hiking routes here should concretely help appreciate the geological and historical heritage, as well as the exceptional geodiversity of the vineyard.