Quintessentially Quincy

I was amazed and amused yesterday afternoon to find a lovely bottle of Quincy on the shelves of my local wine store…here in the wine mecca of San Marcos, Texas. Knowing that this was a lively Sauvignon Blanc—one of my favorite styles of wine—I grabbed it. Later that evening as I savored its zesty, fruity, liveliness touched with a hint of minerality, I realized I did not know too much about this tiny region in the Eastern Loire. As such, here goes…a few facts that are quintessentially Quincy!

#1: Quincy is a white-wine only AOC located in France’s Eastern Loire. It is located on the Cher River about  33 miles east/southeast of Sancerre, and immediately adjacent to Reuilly (another obscure Loire region that deserves more attention than it gets). While I may consider Quincy to be obscure (based on my admittedly American point of view), wine has been made here for centuries, and Quincy was the first appellation in the Eastern Loire to obtain AOC status (way back in 1936, and a few months before Sancerre was so recognized).

Map of the Quincy AOC via the INAO

#2: Quincy has become a bit better-known in the last few decades; this is no doubt due to its geographic proximity (and similarity) to the ultra-popular and widely distributed Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé AOCs. However, it is still a minor appellation if we count acreage: it is estimated that the Quincy appellation contains 875 acres of vines. If we compare this to 7,500 acres for Sancerre and 3,500 acres for Pouilly-Fumé, we can probably stop feeling guilty for using words that denote small.

 #3: The rules-n-regs of the Quincy AOC require that the wine be produced using a minimum of 90% Sauvignon Blanc and in practice, there is a good possibility that the wine is 100% SB. However, the appellation allows for the use of up to 10% Sauvignon Gris, and this is reflected in the vineyards of the region. The use of a bit of Sauvignon Gris can lend a bit of texture as well as aromas of tropical fruit or baking spices to the blend. (Note: this is unique in the Eastern Loire, as the white wines of most of Quincy’s neighboring appellations—including Sancerre, Reuilly, and Pouilly-Fumé—are required to contain 100% Sauvignon Blanc.)

#4: Quincy is known for lively white wines with a good zing of acidity. Look for the typical Sauvignon Blanc aromas of citrus fruit (lemon, lime, grapefruit), green fruit (green apple, green pear, and gooseberry) as well as notes of green grass, fresh green herbs, and a note of minerality. The acid will attack your palate like a lime grenade, and the minerality may remind you of the scent of the air after a crack of lightening…but the mid-palate and finish should be balanced and somewhat complex. Pair this wine with shrimp scampi, pesto primavera pasta, or anything garnished with citrus or tomatoes.

Photo of the Château de Quincy via: https://pop.culture.gouv.fr

#5: If you are visiting Quincy, be sure and visit the Château de Quincy for wine tasting, the lush gardens, and the historic castle—the site of which dates back to the 1400s. The town also boasts a wine museum, Villa Quincy, dedicated to both Quincy and the nearby Reuilly AOC.

References/for more information:

• AOC_Quincy_Cahier des Charches
• https://www.vinsdeloire.fr/en
• https://lavillaquincy.wixsite.com/villaquincy
• https://chateaudequincy.com/les-vignes/

The Bubbly Professor is “Miss Jane” Nickles of San Marcos, Texas… missjane@prodigy.net