Barsac
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- A single commune on the left bank of the Garonne, separated from the rest of the Sauternais by the valley of the Ciron to the south-east. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- The Ciron, with its cold waters shaded by tree cover, generates mists where it meets the Garonne, creating ideal conditions for Botrytis cinerea.
- A limestone plateau of astéries (Stampian/Oligocene) covered by 40–60 cm of red sandy colluvium; roots penetrate the fissures to depths exceeding 10 metres.
- Pyrenean gravelly soils, warm and free-draining, deposited by the Garonne during Quaternary glacial episodes, found to the east towards the river.
Human factors
- Trade with the Dutch (late 16th–17th centuries) oriented the region towards sweet white wines; the practice of selective picking by 'tries' became widespread in the 19th century.
- Sémillon, a variety with thick-skinned berries, dominates in the production of liquoreux wines; sauvignon and muscadelle contribute aromatics and acidity.
Product characteristics
- In youth: a golden colour with floral and fruity aromas; with age, the colour deepens to amber and the bouquet takes on 'roasted' notes — toast, candied fruits, citrus, and honey. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Terroir / wine link
- The limestone soils of Barsac give the wines 'distinctive nuances', making them 'fairly lively, with persistent aromas of a markedly fruity character'.
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Sources
- Product specification (BO Agri, PDF)
- Official INAO text (show_texte)
- INAO product entry
- Official trade body site — Syndicat Viticole de Sauternes & Barsac