Sauternes Wine

The appellation of Sauternes, in south-western France, is located 40 miles to the south of the city of Bordeaux. It is dedicated to the production of the highest-quality sweet and luscious dessert wines.

According to the strict Sauternes appellation laws, four grape varieties may be used: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Gris. Semillon is the predominant variety, because it is the most susceptible to the 'noble rot' (Botrytis cinerea), which dries out the grapes and concentrates their flavors. Sauvignon Blanc adds fresher, aromatic notes, while Muscadelle and Sauvignon Gris are used in minimal proportions for complexity, at the discretion of the winemaker.

These grapes must be grown in vineyards where the planting density is at least 6500 plants per hectare (2631 per acre), and the grapes may only be picked when their must weight reaches 221g/L. This leads to a naturally high level of residual sugar in the finished wines. Chaptalization is permitted in Sauternes, but only to a limited extent and in poor vintages. This enrichment process increases only the potential alcohol content of the grape juice and not the complexity of the wine, so is generally a last resort.

Sauternes' premium sweet wines are extremely expensive to make. Firstly, skilled grape pickers must be paid to make the necessary multiple passes (tries successives) through the vineyards, searching for grapes affected by botrytis. Secondly, Sauternes wines are usually fermented and aged in expensive oak barriques for between 18 and 36 months, costing both time and money. In addition, there is substantial risk involved in leaving the grapes on the vines for an extended period of time. Destructive frost, rain and grey rot (undesirable mould) all become threats at this point and there is no guarantee that botrytis will develop at all. It is not unknown for a Sauternes vintage to produce only a minute quantity of this special wine.

The most impressive Sauternes wines have an intense golden color – darker than most other dessert wines. As they age in the bottle, they turn a spectacular amber. The aromas show remarkable freshness, complexity and balance, with blossom and stone fruit melding together to create an impressive bouquet. On the palate, Sauternes wines are powerful, rich and full, but also extremely elegant.