Sauternes
Sauternes (/soʊˈtɜːrn/; French: [so.tɛʁn]) is a French appellation within the Bordeaux wine region, renowned for its production of sweet white wines affected by noble rot. Situated on the left bank of the Garonne River, south of the city of Bordeaux, it is considered one of the most prestigious sources of sweet wine in the world.[1]
Background
The vineyards of Sauternes lie within the Graves district, bordered by the Ciron River whose cool waters meet the warmer Garonne to create autumnal mists that favour the development of Botrytis cinerea. The appellation includes five communes: Sauternes, Barsac, Preignac, Bommes, and Fargues. Historical records show viticulture in the area since at least the Middle Ages, though international recognition grew in the 18th century as sweet wines from Bordeaux became a significant export.[2]
In 1855, as part of the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification, the best properties of Sauternes and neighbouring Barsac were ranked, establishing their status within the global fine wine trade.[3]
Viticulture and production
The wines of Sauternes are primarily made from Sémillon, which provides richness and susceptibility to noble rot, blended with Sauvignon Blanc for acidity and aromatics, and smaller amounts of Muscadelle.[4]
The unique microclimate ensures that Botrytis cinerea can desiccate the grapes, concentrating sugars and flavours. Harvesting is labour-intensive, requiring multiple passes through the vineyard to select only appropriately affected berries. Yields are consequently low compared to other Bordeaux appellations.
Style and characteristics
Sauternes wines are notable for their golden to deep amber colour, high residual sugar balanced by marked acidity, and complex aromatics. Typical notes include [[apricot (note]|apricot]], honey, citrus peel, and toasted nuts, often developing into deeper flavours of marmalade and spice with age.[5]
Well-made examples have exceptional longevity, with the ability to mature for decades in bottle. Vintages are highly dependent on favourable weather; in poor years, noble rot may fail to develop, leading to reduced or non-existent production.
Cultural and economic significance
Sauternes has long been associated with luxury and rarity. The painstaking viticulture, low yields, and long ageing requirements contribute to its relatively high cost of production. During the German occupation of France in the Second World War, many cellars in Sauternes were at risk of seizure, highlighting the cultural and economic value attached to these wines.[6]
Although international demand for sweet wines has fluctuated, Sauternes retains prestige within the Bordeaux trade and continues to influence perceptions of botrytised wine worldwide.
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015, ISBN 978-0198705383.
- ↑ Phillips, A Short History of Wine, HarperCollins, 2000, ISBN 978-0066212821.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019, ISBN 978-1784724030.
- ↑ Stevenson, The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, 5th ed., DK, 2011, ISBN 978-0756686840.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015, ISBN 978-0198705383.
- ↑ Kladstrup & Kladstrup, Wine and War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France's Greatest Treasure, Broadway Books, 2001, ISBN 978-0767904483.