Wines : Sauternes

Sauternes is the largest desert wine AOC in Bordeaux. It produces magical and precious nectars primarily from botrytised Sémillon grapes in a terroir with ideal soils and microclimate. Forty kilometres south of Bordeaux, Sauternes is an AOC that includes together 5 communes.

Sauternes wines are made from Sémillon and Sauvignon grapes. A bit of Muscadelle occasionally is used to give the wines an untamed touch.

Sauternes have an "aged gold" colour that is denser and darker than other dessert wines. When they age, they develop a stunning amber colour. The nose has aromas of flowers and fruit. The primary aromas include almond, quince, mango, pineapple, stewed peach, dried apricot and passion fruit. There are also floral notes, with touches of linden, acacia, mimosa and honeysuckle. And as is typical with Sémillon, there are also notes of beeswax, almond and hazelnut. In the mouth, Sauternes wines have a powerful style that is viscous but extremely elegant.

(More information: www.bordeaux.com)