Sauternes

Botrytized Bordeaux dessert

Sauternes is a sweet white wine from the Sauternes region of Bordeaux, France.

The grapes are affected by "noble rot," a fungus that concentrates their sugars before harvest.

The result is a rich, golden dessert wine with honeyed flavors: We saved the Sauternes for the cheese course.

Among the most prized and expensive wines in the world.

wine

Bordeaux

French port and vineyard area

dessert wineSweet post-meal libation
Sauvignon BlancGreen-skinned grape's pale wine
sweet wineWine with high sugar

golden · honeyed · late harvest · noble rot · botrytis · Graves · appellation · vintage · cellar · sommelier

tasting

honey

Bees' viscous nectar product

apricotFuzzy orange stone fruit
peachFuzzy stone fruit
marmaladeCitrus preserve with peel

saffron · vanilla · caramel · butterscotch · citrus · tropical · luscious · unctuous · viscous · amber

pairing

foie gras

Fattened waterfowl liver

blue cheeseVeined, tangy cultured dairy
crème brûléeCustard under caramelized shell
pâtéSeasoned meat paste

fruit tart · terrine · almond cake · poached pear · gorgonzola · custard · frangipane · quince

Categories

BordeauxBordeaux, Margaux, Graves, merlot, claret
French WineBordeaux, Chablis, Beaujolais, Margaux, Graves
wine regionsNapa Valley, Bordeaux, Rioja, Tuscany, Chianti
fine drinksDom Perignon, vintage wine, grand cru, aged whiskey, single malt
winered wine, white wine, cabernet, chardonnay, merlot
Fine Winesgrand cru, vintage wine, vintage wines, Screaming Eagle, Dom Perignon

Opposites

sweetness level

SauternesChablis

Burgundy's steely Chardonnay appellation

Sancerre · bone-dry · Sauvignon Blanc

wine color

Sauternesred wine

Fermented dark grape beverage

Cabernet Sauvignon · Merlot · Saint-Émilion · Médoc · Pinot Noir

winemaking philosophy

Sauternesnatural wine

Wine without added chemicals

Family

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Rated G