Sauternes-Barsac
Located within the department of Gironde, in Aquitaine, and part of the Bordeaux wine region, the A.O.C. Sauternes-Barsac is globally famous and appreciated for its sweet white wines made from grapes affected by botrytis, commonly known as noble rot. This fungus partially dries the grapes, enhancing their sugar concentration and aromatic intensity.
In the 17th century, sweet wine was already being produced in the region, but it was Dutch merchants who first took an interest in its production and commercialization using white grape varieties and techniques of German origin. This led to the creation of the so-called vins liquoreux, although it remains unknown whether these wines were made from botrytized grapes or not.
With the growing fame in the 18th century of wines made from grapes affected by noble rot, particularly in the Hungarian region of Tokaj, the sweet whites of Sauternes began to gain recognition and prestige. By the end of that same century, their reputation had reached international acclaim.
Today, the sweet white wines of the A.O.C. Sauternes-Barsac, due to their meticulous and costly production process—from manual harvesting by clusters and berries to the highly controlled fermentation to achieve the desired levels of sugar and alcohol—are true oenological treasures, both for their exceptional quality and their high price.
In the 17th century, sweet wine was already being produced in the region, but it was Dutch merchants who first took an interest in its production and commercialization using white grape varieties and techniques of German origin. This led to the creation of the so-called vins liquoreux, although it remains unknown whether these wines were made from botrytized grapes or not.
With the growing fame in the 18th century of wines made from grapes affected by noble rot, particularly in the Hungarian region of Tokaj, the sweet whites of Sauternes began to gain recognition and prestige. By the end of that same century, their reputation had reached international acclaim.
Today, the sweet white wines of the A.O.C. Sauternes-Barsac, due to their meticulous and costly production process—from manual harvesting by clusters and berries to the highly controlled fermentation to achieve the desired levels of sugar and alcohol—are true oenological treasures, both for their exceptional quality and their high price.
Climate
Its location 40 km southeast of the city of Bordeaux, between two rivers, the Garonne and its tributary the Ciron, provides temperature changes and a mist, both in the evening and at night, that envelops the vineyards, promoting the appearance of the fungus Botrytis cinerea, responsible for noble rot.
Soil
The soils that predominate in this area are composed of gravel, sand, clay, and limestone.
Hectares
1800
Location
Southeast