Sauternes appellation wine
Sauternes appellation wine

Sauternes Appellation

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World-renowned, the appellation extends along the left bank of the Garonne. Between plateaus and valleys, it covers a wide variety of terroirs composed of sand, gravel, and clay. The most renowned châteaux are located on gravelly ridges. In Bordeaux, the most prestigious sweet wine in the world is undoubtedly Château d'Yquem. Produced from noble rot and golden in color in their youth, great Sauternes develop increasingly dark amber tones with age, while their bouquet gains in complexity. The greatest have exceptional aging potential of up to a century! The aromatic palette is very vast with scents of honey, hazelnut, candied orange, quince, white flowers, and toasted notes. On the palate, the wine is powerful, full-bodied, and very elegant. Sauternes are the only white wines to have been classified in 1855. Twenty-seven estates are included in the 1855 classification of white wines.

>> see our article 'Official 1855 Classification'

Area: 1700 ha / Soils: gravelly, clay-limestone, limestone / Grape varieties: Semillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle / Aging potential: 20 years and more (up to 100 years for the greatest growths).

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The best vintages of the Sauternes appellation

 

The greatest vintages of the Sauternes appellation are: Sauternes 1921, 1929, 1937, 1945, 1947, 1949, 1959, 1990, 2005 and 2009.

 

The greatest châteaux of the Sauternes appellation

 

Among the greatest Sauternes estates, the must-haves are Yquem, Climens, Coutet, Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Rieussec, Gilette, Suduiraut, La Tour Blanche.

 

What are the characteristics of the Sauternes appellation?

 

Sauternes is mainly composed of 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon and 5% Muscadelle. Semillon contributes to its power, Sauvignon to its vivacity and freshness, while Muscadelle, although in small quantity, brings its aromatic richness. Semillon is the emblematic grape variety of the Sauternais, it is widely appreciated for its many qualities: good resistance to mildew and powdery mildew, which allowed it to surpass Sauvignon during the epidemics from 1851 to 1885. Its thin skin favors the perfect development of botrytis in good years. However, during rainy harvests, grey rot can quickly attack the grapes, compromising the harvest. Semillon is a delicate grape variety with uncertain yields. Its juices release a slightly musky flavor and great aromatic finesse, revealing notes of apricot, orange or smoke, heralding all the wine's promises.

The Sauternais region mainly sits on Asterias limestone, which is largely covered by alluvial deposits forming terraces with gentle slopes. Near the Garonne, in Barsac and Preignac, some plots are planted on more recent alluvium called "palus clay", but the majority of the vineyard is located on the lower terrace with a limestone layer about twelve meters deep

South of Preignac and north of Bommes, Sauternes and Fargues, there is the middle terrace dating back to the Mindel period (Lower Pleistocene). This terrace consists of slightly clayey and feldspathic sands, with gravel and pebbles covered with silt. Here you can find estates such as Suduiraut, the lower part of Yquem, Sigalas-Rabaud.

Finally, in the south of the Sauternais, there is the high terrace dating from the Günz period. This terrace is composed of sand, gravel, and a yellowish clay matrix. Here you can find estates such as Rieussec, Guiraud, Filhot and the upper part of Yquem

There is a unique microclimate that favors autumn morning mists, followed by warm, sunny days.

The particular climate is the result of the meeting of the cold waters of the small Ciron river with the warmer waters of the Garonne. At the end of September, you can slowly observe the rise of morning mists from both rivers, which dissipate a few hours later to give way to sun and mild temperatures. Due to the obstacle formed by the Landes forest, these mists cover the vineyard, which is essential for the development of botrytis cinerea.

 

Food and wine pairings

  

The pairing of foie gras with sweet wines from the Sauternes appellation is recognized by all gastronomes. Regarding cheeses, the combination of the two "noble rots" - the penicillium roqueforti of Roquefort and the botrytis of Sauternes - is also an excellent choice, as well as pressed cooked cheeses such as Comté (24 months aging). Finally, fruit-based desserts also pair very well with the sweet wines of the Sauternes appellation.

  

What is the origin of Sauternes?

  

According to legend, it all began in 1836, when German merchant Focke, who also owned Château de la Tour Blanche, decided to wait for autumn rain to end before harvesting his grapes. Miraculously, the sun appeared after the rain, creating favorable conditions for the development of Botrytis Cinerea. The berries then dried, concentrating the sugars and producing an exquisite sweet wine. However, it is also said that in 1847, the Marquis de Lur-Saluces, former owner of the famous Château d'Yquem, went hunting in Russia and was delayed. He ordered to wait for his return to harvest. During his absence, his crop had time to ripen perfectly, and noble rot set in. Despite the uncertainty, he decided to proceed with the harvest. The noble rot was exceptional that year, as was his wine.

But the true origin of the sweet wines from the Sauternes appellation is much more down to earth. Indeed, in the 17th century, the Dutch were strongly established in Bordeaux, playing an essential role in the wine trade. As keen white wine enthusiasts, they supported our production and added ingredients such as sugar, alcohol, and syrups to satisfy the demand of northern European customers.

The Châteaux of the Appellation are: Château d'Yquem, Château Clos Haut Peyraguey, Château Coutet, Château Suduiraut, Château La Montagne, Château Guiraud, Château Grillon, Château Climens, Château Laribotte, Château d'Arche Lafaurie, Château Caillou, Château Caillou Crème de Tête, Château Rabaud Promis, Château de Rayne Vigneau, Château du Haire, Château Villefranche, Château La Tour Blanche, Château Filhot, Château Gilette, Château Roumier, Château Sigalas Rabaud, Château Trillon Contigy à Yquem, Château de Fargues, Château Pajot Enclave Yquem, Château Lafaurie Peyraguey, Château Doisy Daene, Château Rieussec,...

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