Sauternes
Styles
Principal grape varieties
Terroir
Natural factors
- 5 Gironde communes: Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac, and Sauternes, on the left bank of the Garonne
- Gravelly-sandy mounds inherited from Pyrenean glaciers (Quaternary era) resting on a Tertiary limestone bedrock, outcropping most prominently at Barsac (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Hills oriented east-south-east along the axis of the Garonne valley, promoting good natural ventilation of the vineyards (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
Human factors
- Sémillon B, native to the Sauternais, dominates the blend thanks to its thick skins, which encourage botrytization; Sauvignon and Muscadelle contribute aromatics and acidity
Product characteristics
- Color: golden when young, deepening to amber with age; roasted bouquet of toasty notes, candied fruits, citrus, and honey, with a very long aromatic finish (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Very rich and unctuous on the palate, with exceptional aging potential (several decades), derived from the botrytization of the grapes
Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.
Sources
- Product specification (BO Agri, PDF), JORF 29 juillet 2016
- Official INAO text (show_texte)
- INAO product entry
- Official trade body site — Syndicat Viticole de Sauternes & Barsac