Sauternes is home to some of the finest, most unctuous, gourmand, and previously most sought-after wines in the world. In recent times, these wines have been somewhat overshadowed by the red wines of the region. The good news is that it has made them all the more affordable.
Sauternes also comprises the wines of Barsac AOC, with average annual production of approximately 6 million bottles from roughly 3,000 hectares. The nectarlike wines of the region are produced due to their proximity to the Ciron and Garonne rivers, which meet and create the perfect misty morning conditions to promote botrytis in the grapes. The most important grape varieties are Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, and Semillon.
The sweet wines of Sauternes offer great opportunities for food matching and rightly deserve a place at our table. Everyone knows of Château d’Yquem, but there are so many other wonderful wines from this fascinating appellation. From floral and fresh peachy notes in their youth, the wines develop wonderful grilled fruit and nutty notes, waxiness, and depth with age.
- Alistair Cooper,
Master of Wine & Esteemed Critic
