Sauternes & Barsac

Sauternes and Barsac lie on the left bank of the Garonne, around 40 kilometres southeast of Bordeaux, in the south of the Graves. The area comprises the five communes of Sauternes, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Barsac. Here the small Ciron river joins the warmer Garonne with cold spring water; the vineyards spread over gentle hills, and Château d'Yquem lies in the Sauternes commune.

The soils consist of gravel, sand and clay over a limestone base; in Barsac the limestone lies close to the surface and yields finer, leaner wines. The microclimate is decisive: the temperature difference between the Ciron and the Garonne produces morning mist in autumn, which warm, dry afternoons then burn off; under these conditions Botrytis cinerea, noble rot, develops.

Sémillon is the predominant variety, complemented by Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The berries are picked in several passes and yields are low. The wines show aromas of honey, apricot, saffron and candied orange and keep for a very long time. The 1855 classification singles out Château d'Yquem as Premier Cru Supérieur.