The sweet white Bordeaux wines from Sauternes appellation, are some of the world's most famous sweet wines. The sweet white Sauternes wines are made from Semillon, Savignon Blanc and Muscadelle grapes.Sauternes wines have a long and interesting history.

Sauternes wine history

It was the Dutch that first promoted the growth of sweet white wine from Bordeaux in the 17th century. Looking to find an alternative supplier to the German white wines, Dutch traders started to invest in planting German white grape varieties and white wine making techniques in the Bordeaux region. Settling on the area of Sauternes, in Bordeaux, the Dutch also started to promote the sweet white wines of the Sauternes with their 'secret ingredient'. By the end of 18th century, the Sauternes wine reputation was famous throughout the world. Thomas Jefferson, an enthusiastic connoisseur himself, recorded that President George Washington after tasting a sample of Chateau d'Yquem immediately placed an order for 30 dozen bottles.

Sauternes French dessert wine

Sauternes is a French dessert wine from the Graves wine area in Bordeaux. The key ingredient of these wines is actually a fungus (called Botrytis cinerea or 'noble rot'). This fungus causes the grape to concentrate flavors and sugars while still maintaining the high level of acidity needed to balance the wine. As a result, Sauternes wines do not derive their sweetness from fortification or being harvested late. During fermentation, the fungus stimulates the production of glycerol which imparts high levels of viscosity to the wine. Sauternes wine fermentation usually takes place in oak barrels. After fermentation the Sauternes wine will be aged from 18-36 months in oak prior to release.

Sauternes wines - sweet white dessert wine

Sauternes is unique amongst the Bordeaux wine regions where infection with noble rot is a frequent occurrence, due mainly to the damp Atlantic climate. The production of Sauternes white wine is very labor-intensive. Harvest workers have to hand-pick individual berries that have been infected with the fungus. This may require several trips through the vineyard over a couple of weeks. It is not uncommon for an entire grapevine to produce only enough juice to make a single glass of wine! Wines from Sauternes, especially the Premier Cru Supérieur estate Chateau d'Yquem, can be very expensive, due largely to the low yields and high productions costs.

Best French Sauternes wines

Sauternes wine typically starts out with a golden, yellow color that becomes progressively darker as it ages. Sauternes wines are some of longest-living French wines. Some Premier Cru wines such as Château d'Yquem have aged well beyond 100 years. Indeed, some wine experts believe that the flavour of Sauternes wine is only fully mature once the wine turns a dark copper colour. Sauternes are characterized by the balance of sweet flavours (apricots, honey and peaches) with the zest of acidity. A good Sauternes wine will remain on the palate for several minutes. Sauternes wines are typically served chilled between 52-53°F (11°C), though older Sauternes wines are often served a few degrees warmer. Sauternes wine can be paired with a variety of foods, with foie gras being the classic match.

Sauterne wine or Sauternes wine?

The phrase 'sauterne wine' is a generic description for a sweet white dessert wine. The word 'sauterne' is usually uncapitalised and without the 's' on the end. Sauternes is the French name of the Sauternes wine appellation that covers the Sauternais region of Bordeaux.

If you are interested in buying Bordeaux white wines online, then please see Traditional Wine Link's full online wine selection at Bordeaux white wines online.