Sauternes French wine appellation guide: location, history, wines, climate & soil
Sauternes is the world's most famous sweet-wine appellation, producing luscious, golden, noble-rot wines of extraordinary richness and longevity, led by the legendary Château d'Yquem.
More info about Sauternes
Geographic position
Southwestern France, in the Gironde, about 40 km southeast of Bordeaux on the left bank of the Garonne, within the Graves area, covering the communes of Sauternes, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Barsac.
Origin & history
Dutch merchants encouraged sweet wine production here in the 17th century, and by the 18th century Sauternes was admired by Thomas Jefferson. In the 1855 Classification, Château d'Yquem was the only wine rated Premier Cru Supérieur, above all others. The AOC was created in 1936.
Wines & grape varieties
Sweet white wine only, mainly Sémillon with Sauvignon Blanc and a little Muscadelle, picked grape by grape in several passes once affected by noble rot (botrytis). Expect apricot, honey, candied orange, saffron, vanilla and toasted almond, balanced by fresh acidity.
Climate & soil
Oceanic climate; autumn morning mists from the cool Ciron river meeting the warmer Garonne create ideal conditions for noble rot. Gravel, sand, clay and limestone.
Wine region: Bordeaux
Grape varieties: Muscadelle, Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon