Bordeaux

Appellation named after the commune of the same name, it is an island within the large Graves region south of Bordeaux in France. The vineyard area totals around 1.700 hectares. It includes the communes of Bommes, Fargues-de-Langon, Preignac and Sauternes, as well as Barsac, which has the right to its own appellation, and makes up 600 hectares of the vineyard area. All Barsac wines may also use the name of Sauternes or Sauternes-Barsac, but this does not apply in reverse. For centuries, this area has been producing mainly sweet wines from botrytised grapes. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), who was the ambassador of the USA in Paris from 1785 to 1789, and who later became the president of the USA, visited many wine-growing regions during his tour of duty in France, and describes Sauternes as the best white wine in the country, after champagne and Hermitage. His ranking of French wines was also used as one of the criteria in the 1855 classification of Sauternes (see below). The soil is rich in limestone, and provides excellent conditions for growing white varieties, red wines are less important. The appellation applies only to botrytis white wines. Dry white wines may only use the AC „Bordeaux“, while red wines amy use only the AC „Bordeaux“ or „Bordeaux Supérieur“. The appellation regulation for sweet white wines stipulate a minimum alcohol content of 13% vol. (though this is usually higher in practice), as well as a sensory test to establish the wine is sufficiently sweet. Yields are limited to 25 hectolitres per hectare.

The most important and most widely planted grape variety is Sémillon, this makes up around 80% of the vineyard area on most estates. The other white varieties planted are Sauvignon Blanc (also called Sauvignon Gris) and some Muscadelle. The most widely planted red varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The development of botrytis, which is essential fort he sweet white wines, is encouraged by the low-lying location as well as by the proximity of two rivers. Fog develops at the confluence of the cold river water of the Ciron with the warmer waters pf the Garonne, and the interaction of cool moist air and the warmth of the sun provides ideal conditions. Only grapes with noble rot, botrytis, are used. The wine has a brilliant yellow-gold colour with green tinges. The bouquet is opulent, with apricots, honey and nuts. The wine is full-bodied with an intense sweet flavour, however the sweetness is not cloying, thanks to the high alcohol content. The wines are usually matured in barriques. The wines from the Barsac region are less full-bodied, but are considered to be more racy. When the vineyards of the Médoc were classified in 1855, a simlar classification was set up for Sauternes and the neighbouring communes. Three classes were established in Sauternes. Château d´Yquem was the only estate in Bordeaux to be classified as a „Premier Cru Classé Supérieur“, placing it ahead of the red wines of the Médoc. Since then there have been several changes brought about through changes in ownership and in names. However, the classification is still valid, and largely still correctly reflects the quality of the wines produced:

Premier Cru Classé Supérieur (1)
* Château D´Yquem (Sauternes)

Premiere Cru Classé (11)
* Château Climens (Barsac)
* Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey (Bommes)
* Château Coutet (Barsac)
* Château Guiraud (Sauternes)
* Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey (Bommes)
* Château La Tour Blanche (Bommes)
* Château Rabaud-Promis (Bommes)
* Château de Rayne-Vigneau (Bommes)
* Château Rieussec (Fargues)
* Château Sigalas-Rabaud (Bommes)
* Château Suduiraut (Preignac)

Deuxième Cru Classé (15)
* Château d´Arche (Sauternes)
* Château Broustet (Barsac)
* Château Caillou (Barsac)
* Château Doisy-Daëne (Barsac)
* Château Doisy-Dubroca (Barsac)
* Château Doisy-Védrines (Barsac)
* Château Filhot (Sauternes)
* Château Lamothe Despujols (Sauternes)
* Château Lamothe Guignard (Sauternes)
* Château de Malle (Preignac)
* Château de Myrat (Barsac)
* Château Nairac (Barsac)
* Château Romer#Château Romer-du-Hayot (Fargues)
* Château Romer-du-Hayot (Fargues)
* Château Suau (Barsac)