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Sauternes
Sauternes lies in the south of the Graves, where the river Ciron flows into the Garonne. The temperature difference between the two rivers creates morning mists in which botrytis cinerea develops, the noble rot that shrivels the grapes and concentrates their sugars. Harvesting is done in several passes, grape by grape.
Our range includes wines from Sauternes by producers including d'Yquem, Rieussec, Suduiraut, Coutet, Climens and Guiraud. If you would like to explore Bordeaux further, you will also find Pauillac, Saint-Émilion and Pomerol in our range.
Grapes and style
Sauternes is a sweet white wine made from sémillon, supplemented with sauvignon blanc and sometimes a little muscadelle. Sémillon provides the richness and sweetness, while sauvignon blanc brings acidity and freshness.
The wine is golden yellow to amber in colour and smells of apricot, honey, candied orange, saffron and nuts. Despite the sweetness, the wine is balanced by a lively acidity. The texture is full and syrupy.
Location and soil
Sauternes lies in the south of the Graves, along the river Garonne. It is close to the little river Ciron, which carries cool water to the warmer Garonne. In autumn this produces morning mist and haze.
That climate is crucial. The mist encourages the noble fungus botrytis cinerea, which shrivels the grapes and concentrates the sugars and aromas. Because the rot does not occur everywhere at once, the vineyard is picked over several times. The soil consists of gravel, sand and clay, with chalk in the subsoil.
Classification and rules
Sauternes has a classification of its own, separate from that of the Médoc. The top place is reserved for a single estate as Premier Cru Supérieur, followed by Premier Cru and Deuxième Cru. The appellation also includes Barsac, which may use its own name.
Yields are deliberately low and the grapes must have sufficient botrytis. In poor years estates sometimes decide not to make Sauternes.
Ageing and serving
Sauternes is among the wines with the longest ageing potential. Sweetness and acidity keep each other in balance, and over the years the colour changes from golden yellow to amber and the flavour becomes more complex, with notes of candied fruit, caramel and nuts.
Serve cool, at 8 to 10 °C. Classic pairings are foie gras, blue cheese such as Roquefort and fruit desserts. You can also pour Sauternes as an aperitif.
Producers in our range
These producers feature in our Sauternes range: d'Yquem, Rieussec, Suduiraut, Coutet, Climens, Guiraud, Raymond-Lafon, De Fargues, Doisy-Daëne, Doisy-Védrines, La Tour Blanche, Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sigalas Rabaud, Gilette and Liot.
Also in half bottles
Many of these wines are also available in half bottles. From Château d'Yquem our range also includes the dry white wine 'Y' (Ygrec).
More from Bordeaux
You will find more wines from Bordeaux under Pauillac, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol, Saint-Julien, Margaux, Saint-Estèphe, Pessac-Léognan and Haut-Médoc.