Location and Landscape
The Sauternes appellation lies around 40 kilometres south-east of Bordeaux in the Gironde department on the left bank of the Garonne. Its area comprises the communes of Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes. The Ciron runs through the appellation and forms a boundary between several communes before it flows into the Garonne.
Climate and Soils
The oceanic climate brings mild, humid winters and moderately warm summers, which favour the slow ripening of the white grapes. The humidity at night from the Ciron and Garonne, along with ventilation during the day, create conditions for botrytis cinerea and noble rot. The vineyards are located on gently undulating, gravelly elevations and terraces above tertiary limestone; the soils can be gravelly, clayey, silica-rich, calcareous or, in part, consist of ortstein.
Vines and Viticulture
Sauternes is a French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée for still white wines. Muscadelle B, Sauvignon B, Sauvignon gris G and Sémillon B are permitted. The vines are normally planted with at least 6,500 plants per hectare. The overripe grapes, shaped by noble rot, are harvested by hand in several selective passes. The regulations require at least 221 grams of sugar per litre of must and a yield of 25 hectolitres per hectare.
Wine Style and Maturation
The wines contain fermentable residual sugar; botrytisation helps contribute to sugar concentration and the aromatic profile. Young wines show a golden colour as well as floral and fruity aromas. With ageing, they develop an amber-coloured appearance and notes of grilled flavours, candied fruit, citrus fruits and honey. Vinification and ageing must take place in a dedicated enclosed building, at least until 15 March of the year following the harvest.
