This book is the offspring of the multi-award winning A Wine & Food Guide to the Loire. It focuses on the wines of Sancerre, Pouilly-Fume and their satellites. Such is the progress made in what Friedrich calls "the Kingdom of Sauvignon blanc, that Jacqueline Friedrich has completely revised her opinion of that popular but often underestimated grape. Its best wines now rival the finest Chablis. Wines made from Pinot Noir, the region's second most important grape, grow more charming and more riveting with each vintage. What's more, they are all extremely affordable. Additionally, Friedrich felt she needed to devote an entire volume to this region in order to accurately describe the scores of dynamic, eco-conscious young vintners, and to provide score-free, unpompous evaluations of their wonderful wines. Additionally, you'll find maps, geological diagrams, explanations of the region's food specialties, as well as restaurant, hotel and tourism recommendations.