24 Sep Sauternes – Golden Sweet Wine

Sauternes – the golden sweet wine. It comes from the Sauternes region in the Graves district of Bordeaux. These are not late harvest wines. Rather, the grapes must develop botrytis, or noble rot. The humidity caused by the cold Le Ciron River that feeds into the Garonne results in a fog that descends upon the vineyards through the night. The warm sun during the day will then dry the grapes. The fungus that develops on the grapes results in a grape that becomes partially raisin-ed with concentrated flavors. One of the most famous (and most expensive) Sauternes is Chateau Y’quem. Our driver drove us up the road to Y’quem but fooled us and turned back around to take us to two other historic Sauternes producers who are worth knowing about……as well as more affordable. Chateau Guiraud Chateau Guiraud became a Premier Grand Cru in 1855. Dating back to the 15th century, this is the oldest property in Sauternes. There are 100 hectares of vineyards that surround the chateau. The Chateau Guiraud Sauternes is 65% Semillon and 35% Sauvignon Blanc, which adds freshness, citrus and minerality. They are the only First Growth in Sauternes that is certified organic, as of the 2011 vintage. Since 2006, Chateau Guiraud has been owned by industrialist Robert Peugot and three winemakers – Olivier Bernard of Domaine de Chevalier, Stephan von Neipperg of Château Canon La Galleliere and Xavier Planty, the enologist at Chateau Guiraud. Chateau Guirard produces three wines:

• Chateau Guiraud Sauternes – a classic style that is clean and elegant
• Petit Guiraud – fresh and fruity with good acidity
• G de Chateau Guiraud – a dry white wine

Chateau Doisy Daene Georges Dubourdieu purchased the property in 1924 and his son Pierre took over in 1948. In 2000, Pierre’s son Denis, one of Bordeaux’s most acclaimed winemakers and a professor of enology at the University of Bordeaux, took over. Since 2003, fourth generation Fabrice Dubourdieu, who also studied enology, works with his father Denis. As we sat and tasted the wines, Fabrice told us that his grandfather Pierre created the first tasting room in the world. Chateau Cantegril Sauternes 2010 – made with 85% Semillon, the wine has notes of honey, apricot and pineapple and great salinity on the palate Chateau Doisy-Daene Barsac 2010 – with aromas of honeysuckle, white flowers and citrus, the honeyed sweetness is balanced by acidity L’Extravagant de Doisy Daene Sauternes 2004 – L’Extravagant is the result of Pierre challenging himself to make the most concentrated Sauternes but is not made every vintage. Because Sauternes is sweet, most people think that it should be drunk for dessert. But, next time you are looking for something to pair with a cheese plate or spicy foods, think Sauternes!