User:Murgh/Sauternes AOC

Sauternes is an AOC for dessert wine (blanc d'or) made in the commune of Sauternes imbedded in the Bordeaux wine region of Graves on the Left Bank of Dordogne in the south west of France. Vineyards are located  kilometers to the south of Bordeaux. The area covers 1,735 hectares, annually producing on average 34,260 hectolitres of wine.

Wine
The grape varieties of Sauternes are Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle.

Soils are gravelly.

Barsac
Barsac is

ca. 25 miles south east of Bordeaux of Sauternes, in an area of 539 hectares producing 11,800 hectolitres

10 of the estates in the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855 are located within the Barsac appellation, 2 of the first growths Coutet and Climens, and 8 second growths.

Both a "Sauternes" and a place name of its own. Barsacs tend to be lighter, more fruity and develop more quickly.

As opposed to the more hilly geography of Sauternes, the Barsac section is flat, more chalky and less stony than its neighbour. During the great frost of 1956, Barsac's losses were far more heavy than those of Sauternes.

Cérons
Cérons is of Sauternes, in a declared area of 41 hectares.

Cérons, Illats and Podensac.

Typically less sweet than Sauternes.

Much of the production within the borders of the appellation is destined for dry white wine, declared under the appelations Graves blanc or Graves supérieures.

Château de Cérons.