Introduction to world-famous Bordeaux
Sweet white wines
The magic of sweet Bordeaux wines lies in their remarkable balance between sugar and acid, which is never overwhelming. Medium-sweet and sweet wines are made primarily from Semillon and Sauvignon and, to a lesser extent, Muscadelle.
Their exceptional sugar content is the result of the activity of Botrytis cinerea also known as noble rot, which requires of very special microclimate.See old-school Sauternes and sticky wines.
These wines have made a major contribution to establishing and maintaining Bordeaux’s reputation, especially with icons such as the Sauternes-Barsacs Crus classes, but also other lesser-known appellations that also produce high-quality sweet wines with excellent value for money.
The sweet white wine production area stretches on both sides of the Garonne, south of the city of Bordeaux, accounts for 3% of Bordeaux’s area, and includes 12 AOCs described below.
Sweet White Wine Barsac
Barsac is located at the mouth of the Ciron, a small tributary of the Garonne, in the heart of the terroir so favorable for the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea).The cold water of this river creates a microclimate where nightly fogs give way to mostly sunny autumn days.
This alternation of wetness and dryness ensures that the rot does not get out of control and becomes destructive. Instead, it is elevated to a “noble” status. Barsac AOC is just as famous as its famous sister Sauternes, but perhaps because it is smaller, with ten sweet dessert Crus but no Premier Cru, it receives disproportionately less attention.
The village of Sauternes was long under the control of Barsac, and therefore Barsac wines are allowed to carry the Sauternes appellation (although the reverse is not true).
Barsac’s dessert wines are made from Semillon grapes (80% of the vines planted) and Sauvignon grapes (15%). Muscadelle is used as a complementary variety.
The flavors of Semillon are more susceptible to noble rot than the other varieties and intensify after infection. It is also the grape variety that feels most at home in Barsac’s soil, made up of stones, gravel and red sand.
Barsacs are traditionally considered lighter than Sauternes but are of comparable quality and characterized by a characteristic full, deep aroma with a warm and elegant bouquet.
On the palate, there are notes of honey, white peach, almond, oriental spices and mango or pineapple, but also dried apricots or even toast and vanilla.
These wines are exceptionally persistent, but never go sticky. They ensure a fresh and even menthol finish. Powerful yet elegant, sumptuous yet fresh: Barsac seems to have multiple identities and much depends on the winemaking and viticultural practices of each estate.
Bordeaux-Moelleux
Bordeaux Moelleux is a regional AOC, which means that high-quality sweet wines can be produced anywhere in the Bordeaux region. They have a sugar content of more than 4 grams per liter.
Semillon, Sauvignon, and Muscadelle are the grape varieties used in sweet Bordeaux wines, giving them fresh and fruity flavors. Similar wines, made using the same winemaking process in even smaller quantities, are marketed- under the AOC Bordeaux Superieur.
Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire’s 60 hectares also produce Bordeaux-Moelleux wines;They are produced mainly from Semillon grapes on a terroir of hills and slopes facing south, on the right bank of the Garonne, overlooking the commune of Langon.
Sweet White Wine Bordeaux Superior
These traditional sweet white Bordeaux wines are perfect as an aperitif and go well with poultry as the residual sugar rounds off the taste.
Bordeaux Skin Benauge
In of southern part of Entre-Deux-Mers is the small Haut-Benauge AC, which produces both dry and sweet white wines.
Cadillac
On the right bank of the Garonne, 30 km southeast of Bordeaux, right next to the most important dessert wine appellations, is the small appellation Cadillac.
The AOC was first established in 1973 when Cadillac was separated from the AOC Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux further north – the latter produces both sweet white and red wines,
while Cadillac wines are exclusively white and/or sweet wines. Cadillac has a microclimate conducive is the growth of noble rot, but since its wines cannot reach the prices of Sauternes, the costs of producing high-quality sweet white wines are difficult to justify for most in the region.
The vines are usually planted on the south and southwest slopes of the region’s mud-limestone hills. The sandy, limestone and gravel soils are perfect for the Semillon grape, which accounts for 70% of the vines planted.
Sauvignon and Muscadelle are planted in smaller quantities. The wines are aromatic, full-bodied and supple, but never as heavy as Sauternes. But good vintages from the likes of Chateau Fayau offer wonderfully affordable Sauternes-style experiences and are worth seeking out.
Cero
Perhaps the least important of the sweet white appellations is Cerons, a little-known municipal AOC with 40 hectares of vineyards that has been associated with wine since Roman times.
Cerons has been producing sweet wines since 1936, but as the consumption of dessert wines declined in France during the 20th century, the winemakers switched to producing dry white and red wines under the AOC Graves.
Nevertheless, many wine brokers and other Bordeaux enthusiasts today consider Ceron’s dessert wines to be one of the region’s best-kept secrets. They produce wines comparable to Barsac, although significantly higher yields are allowed (40 hl/ha instead of 25 hl/ha for Sauternes & Barsac).
Ceron’s AOC wines are 80% Semillon, and the coarse sand covering the compacted limestone terroir is a perfect match. The sweet wines from Chateau de Cerons are highly recommended.’
Nevertheless, many wine brokers and other Bordeaux enthusiasts today consider Ceron’s dessert wines to be one of the region’s best-kept secrets.
They produce wines comparable to Barsac, although significantly higher yields are allowed (40 hl/ha instead of 25 hl/ha for Sauternes & Barsac).
Ceron’s AOC wines are 80% Semillon, and the coarse sand covering the compacted limestone terroir is a perfect match. The sweet wines from Chateau de Cerons are highly recommended.
Côtes de Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire
Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux are small sweet wines made on steep, well-adapted slopes.
Count Superiores
The sweet AOC wines from Graves Superieures have a moderate sugar content and are therefore suitable as an aperitif or as a complement to delicate sauces and desserts.
Their quality and style are sometimes compared to the sweet wines of the Cerons appellation. Since the AOC was founded in 1937,
consumer habits have changed in favor of dry white wines and so the amount of sweet wines produced under the AOC Graves Superieures has decreased.
Semillon and Sauvignon grapes are the most common grape varieties, planted in a soil of gravel and mixed sand with veins of clay and limestone. Graves Superieure’s wines have notes of citrus and candied peel, as well as white peach or nectarine. They also taste great with a tarte tatin (caramelized apple pie) and many other desserts.
