Saint-Bris is very unusual within Burgundy: one of only two white appellations not based on Chardonnay (the other being Bouzeron with Aligoté). Here, Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris are the authorized grapes, making wines that remind one of the Loire as much as neighboring Chablis. Granted full AOC status in 2003, Saint-Bris produces crisp, mineral-driven whites from clay-limestone soils in communes southeast of Auxerre with Domaine Verret tracing its roots in Saint-Bris-le-Vineux back to the mid-18th century. Auxerois was a more prolific region than Chablis before phylloxera, with planting peaking at 40,000 hectares. Today, they have yet to come even close to that amount, with less than 8,000 hectares planted with the difference mostly due to the mysterious difficulties of growing American rootstocks in the region's soils. The Verret family has persevered and now farms nearly 60 hectares across the Grand Auxerrois and cultivates 8 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc in Saint-Bris. Certified Haute Valour Environmental, the 2022 Saint-Bris was vinified with gentle pneumatic pressing, native yeast fermentation and aging in stainless steel to preserve freshness. Aromas of exotic flowers and tarragon with flavors of gooseberry, and dried apricot. The palate is refreshing with a saline finish and would pair with creamy salmon and shrimp dishes, bahn mi or mixed nuts and dried fruits.