Sauternes, the Archetype of Wine

Il Sauternes is a true miracle of nature, taking place fifty kilometers south of the French city of Bordeaux.

In this evocative landscape flows the Ciron river, a small tributary of the Garonna, which undoubtedly plays a fundamental role in this precious passito wine. The water temperature acts as a climatic moderator, developing evening mists that alternate with morning humidity and warm afternoon climate.

The terroir is unique – clay-limestone alternating with alluvial pebbles known as Grave. All these combinations favor the development of Botrytis Cinerea, also known as Noble Rot, which affects the grape clusters by thinning their skin and reduces water content to encourage the formation of a highly concentrated juice. The cluster affected by this mold will appear dehydrated and grayish, but yields a rich and full must that ages in small precious barrels to produce a soft and velvety wine without equal.

Only a few Chateau are capable of producing this precious nectar, both due to the particular location – which must favor noble rot rather than allowing it to degenerate into gray rot – and due to production costs. Indeed, harvesting takes place as many as eight or nine times during the month in order to maximize the organoleptic properties of the noble rot. An average aging period of twenty-four months in barrique is also planned.

With just over 1,000 bottles, Chateau D'Yquem is the Sauternes par excellence, boasting great worldwide fame and classified as Premier Grand Cru as far back as 1855. Sauternes is born from the combination of three grape varieties: Sémillon, which is the most susceptible to noble rot attack, is used in high percentages in the cuvée; Sauvignon Blanc, being less subject to fungal attack, undergoes drying on the vine; and Muscadelle, whose production is often uncertain, is used in small quantities due to its pronounced varietal notes.

The vino Kressmann Grande Réserve Sauternes, an interesting AOC, exalts the typicity of the territory through rigorous selection, developing extraordinary qualities of elegance and balance. Its unmistakable golden color leads to a nose of candied fruit and acacia flowers that almost recall sweet fruits roasted in the sun. Rich and powerful on the palate with a long and pleasant finish. The pairing suggestions are straightforward: desserts, blue-veined cheeses, the traditional pate du foie gras, though it also lends itself beautifully as a great meditation wine.