Golden, luscious, and tantalizingly sweet, the Sauternes region is Bordeaux’s treasure trove of dessert wines. An elixir fashioned by nature’s magic and man’s mastery!

Unlike any other wine region, Sauternes has the unique play of the Ciron River’s cold waters meeting the warmer waters of the Garonne River. This creates early morning mists enveloping the vineyards, setting the stage for the noble rot, Botrytis cinerea. This ‘rot’ is Sauternes’ golden touch, shrinking the grapes and concentrating their sugars and flavors, leading to wines of unparalleled complexity.

While Bordeaux’s winemaking roots trace back to Roman times, Sauternes gained prominence in the 17th century, when conditions fostered the “noble rot” fungus, Botrytis cinerea. This fungus dehydrates grapes, concentrating their sugars and yielding the region’s distinctive sweet wines.

The 1855 Classification, commissioned by Napoleon III, highlighted Sauternes’ excellence, with Château d’Yquem receiving an unparalleled Premier Cru Supérieur rank.

Despite challenges in the 20th century, including shifting tastes towards dry wines, Sauternes persisted. Today, its wines remain celebrated for their rich character and unparalleled complexity, enjoyed both as dessert accompaniments and paired with diverse cuisines.

Amongst the golden vineyards stands Château d’Yquem, an estate with a lineage of producing wines that are an embodiment of perfection. Revered for its consistency and exceptional quality, Yquem stands in a league of its own, often achieving unparalleled levels of richness.

Fun fact: A bottle of 1811 Château d’Yquem holds the record for the most expensive bottle of white wine ever sold!

Each glass of Sauternes is like sipping sweet liquid gold. With notes of apricot, honey, and almonds, it’s a symphony of flavors that crescendos with each sip. Try pairing Sauternes with roasted chicken or lobster for a twist on the traditional foie gras pairing! Many visitors say that they don’t appreciate sweet wine, but that’s before they visit and try this world-famous wine.

Local Tip: While visiting Sauternes, treat your taste buds to the culinary delights of these regions. Match a robust Graves red with entrecôte à la Bordelaise and sip a golden Sauternes with smooth foie gras or a tangy tarte au citron at La Chapelle Restaurant in Château Guiraud.

Journeying through Sauternes is to experience nature’s serendipity and centuries of winemaking tradition. It’s not just wine; it’s liquid emotion, evoking memories of sunlit vineyards and the sweet serenade of Bordeaux’s golden nectar.

Sauternes Day-Trip

9:30 am – Leave Bordeaux
10:30 am – Visit of a Grand Cru Château
12:00 pm – Lunch at a Michelin Guide Restaurant
2:00 pm – Visit a Premier Cru Superior Château
3:30 pm – Stroll world-famous vineyards
5:30 pm – Arrive back at your hotel

Drive south of the city to the Sauternes appellation, where you’ll unlock the secret to sweet and smooth wines.

Begin the day of exploration with a special tasting at a picturesque property. See the secret bottle rooms and learn about the previous owner.

Continue your discovery of the sweeter side of Bordeaux with lunch at a Michelin Guide Restaurant. Enjoy a five-star experience with an elegantly crafted traditional French lunch made with seasonal ingredients surrounded by vines and history.

For the final tour this day, you’ll explore a very special place, the only chateau in Sauternes with the Premier Cru Superior status, and see why it is quite literally in a league of its own.