Sauternes wine: what is it, origin, features and characteristics + how to drink
The elite French wine made from fermented grapes is produced in the region of the same name, located in the southwest of the country.
A unique area with a special climate is located on the territory of Bordeaux and includes 5 communes, whose producers are entitled to call their drinks Sauternes.
Local wines belong to the category of white dessert wines and contain at least 13% alcohol. Interestingly, the birth of the noble product was preceded by a ridiculous accident that almost deprived the local producer of the annual grape harvest.
The origin of the drink Sauternes
According to legend, the first Sauternes wine was produced in the XVII century. One of the local winemakers left the farm on business and ordered not to harvest until he returned.
He was delayed in his trip, and when he returned, he saw that the wine fruits were overripe and covered with mold. Having decided to somehow remedy the situation, the owner of the vines began to pick berries and made wine from them.
The result exceeded all expectations: the drink turned out to be sweet and flavorful, unlike the previous years' vintages. Two factors contributed to the creation of the original Sauternes: the noble mold fungus Botrytis cinerea and thick fog. Under their influence, the berries lost moisture and became ashy, while maintaining a high level of sugar content. Local winemakers have adopted this method, improved it and turned it into a unique technology for creating elite drinks.
Features of Sauternes production
To get a real Sauternes, vineyard owners deliberately postpone harvesting, waiting for it to overripe, fade and become moldy. Moreover, this does not always happen: the noble fungus is quite capricious and does not always lead to the desired result.
A number of conditions must be met in order to obtain valuable examples of wine worthy of being called Sauternes:
The influence of a special maritime climate. The natural conditions of the region are characterized by high humidity and the formation of thick fogs at night, which are replaced by daytime dryness and warmth. At the same time, frost, hail and heavy rains in some years can destroy the entire crop.
The use of grapes of certain white varieties. These include: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Muscadelle. The first of them is predominant in the composition of the original wine. Each type of raw material reaches the required degree of maturity in its own time, so it is harvested at different times.
Rigorous sorting and manual harvesting, which involves repeatedly inspecting the vineyards to separate the right berries. Harvesting of fruits takes 5-15 approaches.
Long aging of wines: from 1.5 to 4 years in oak barrels and 15-20 (and sometimes 50-100 years) in bottles. Long maturation allows to emphasize the complex character of the drinks.
Observing all the subtleties of fruit production and harvesting, winemakers receive very little raw material suitable for making Sauternes. And if you consider that the volume becomes smaller due to the drying of berries, it is not surprising that the exquisite wine belongs to the elite category.
No more than 65 thousand bottles of the famous drink are produced per year. Other wines produced in the region are simply called "Bordeaux AOC".
Characteristics of Sauternes wines
The noble product can be distinguished by its bright golden-straw color, which turns into dark amber as the drink ages.
The aroma of Sauternes wines is fresh, complex and harmonious. It contains fruit, honey, nut and floral tones. The consistency of the drink is oily, thick. Its strength is 13-14%. The taste is bright, rich, elegant, sweet, but not cloying. Dominant notes: citrus fruits, honey, vanilla, white flowers, almonds, candied fruits, plum, quince, apricot.
Due to its balanced, rich bouquet, wines from the Sauternes region are highly valued among connoisseurs of fine drinks, in particular among titled persons. It is known that the original product was loved by the English Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ and American President George Washington.
In 1855, Sauternes was included in the imperial classification of French wines: only special drinks from the Bordeaux region were awarded this honor.
The products of the commune of Barsac, located on the west bank of the Syrone River, are slightly different from the classic types of Sauternes. The wines produced here are characterized by a more pronounced dryness and lightness of the bouquet.
Types of drinks and producers
Premier Cru Supérieur
This group includes the most prestigious examples of the famous wine, namely the products of Chateau d’Yquem". The cost of individual bottles reaches several thousand euros, while less valuable drinks from other producers can be purchased for several hundred.
Premiers Cru
This group includes the wines of 11 farms in the region, most of which are concentrated in the commune of Barsac. The most famous: "Château Climens", "Château Suduiraut", "Château La Tour Blanche", "Château Guiraud", "Clos Haut-Peyraguey", "Château Rieussec", etc.
Deuxièmes Cru
This includes 15 farms from the Sauternes area. Among them: "Château Myrat", "Château Broustet", "Château Filhot", "Château Doisy-Védrines", "Château Nairac", etc.
Among the best vintages of recent years, experts distinguish 1988, 1989, 1990, 1997 and 1999.
How to drink Sauternes wine
Famous wines should be tasted chilled:
Young wines - at a temperature of 8-11 °C
Aged - a few degrees warmer - 14-16 °C
Can be served before, during or after a meal. Foie gras is considered an ideal complement, but other dishes are also suitable for Sauternes: game roast, seafood, red fish, poultry, expensive cheeses, ice cream, vegetable snacks. Desserts should be chosen carefully: too sweet can overwhelm the flavor of the wine.
Update: 28.01.2019
Category: Wine and Vermouth