Coteaux du Giennois, though obscure now, sits directly on the northern border of Pouilly-Fume and opposite Sancerre, right across the Loire River. Like its pricier neighbors, the ruling grape variety here is Sauvignon Blanc, benefiting from almost identical soils - abundant clay-limestone and silex, aka flint. Despite being lesser-known and not as extensively planted, Giennois offers exceptional quality wines at nearly half the price of its famed neighbors. The domaine, originally a family operation focused on diverse agriculture, pivoted in the early '90s to usurp the incredible terroir—planting Sauvignon Blanc for white wines and Pinot Noir and Gamay for reds. The winemaker, Christophe Monget, brings his Bordeaux training to the domaine, producing enticing wines such as this Giennois Blanc. Displaying considerable tension on the palate, its profile boasts lime zest, lemon verbena, green apple, and flinty smoke flavors. This unbeatable value that might prompt you to ask the question, "Sance-what?"