Sauternes is a sweet French dessert wine made from grapes exposed to noble rot in the Sauternais region of Bordeaux. It complements aged cheeses and is often sold in smaller bottles. Weather conditions greatly influence each vintage, and some high-quality Sauternes can be aged for up to 100 years. Sauterne wine made in California is a different type of sweet white wine that is less expensive and lacks the balanced flavor of true Sauternes.
Sauternes is a sweet wine made with specially prepared grapes from the Sauternais region, found in the Graves section of Bordeaux in France. What makes this type of wine unique is the use of grapes that have been exposed to a fungus called noble rot. The fungal decomposition causes a heightened sweetness which makes Sauternes a popular French dessert wine. The types of rotten noble grapes used in Sauternes include Sauvignon Blanc grapes, Semillon and Muscadelle.
The balanced sweetness and acidity of this dessert wine complements the strong flavor of aged cheeses such as Roquefort and Muenster. Noble Rot wines are commonly served chilled at around 53 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius) with well aged vintages poured at a slightly warmer temperature. Like most French dessert wines, Sauternes is often sold in 375-milliliter bottles, which are half the size of a traditional 750-milliliter bottle. Personal portions are also smaller than many wines at about 2 to 3 fluid ounces (59 to 88 milliliters) per glass of wine.
Weather conditions from year to year greatly influence the character of each vintage. The percentages of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle grapes are adapted for each production to provide optimal balance and rich flavour. Some high-quality Sauternes are aged for up to 100 years to intensify their diversity of flavors and increase viscosity.
The hot and humid climate of Sauternais makes the vines particularly susceptible to a fungal infection called botrytis cinerea. Many of the region’s vineyards are located in an area between two rivers where air masses of contrasting temperatures collide. During the hot summer months, these weather conditions have a tendency to create a layer of moisture which falls on the vines as the sun sets. This coating of mist provides ample moisture for mushroom growth until the water is evaporated in the afternoon heat. Sauternes producers often mimic these conditions when they don’t occur naturally by lightly misting their vines in the cool of the evening.
Sauterne wine is different from true Sauternes. The term Sauterne wine refers to a large variety of white wines produced in California. Sauterne wines made in California are often sweet dessert wines made from white wine grapes that have never been exposed to noble rotting fungi. Sauterne wine is often much less expensive than true French Sauternes, but usually has a reduced acid component and less balanced flavor.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
