Sauternes is a sweet wine from the Sauternes region, which is part of Bordeaux, in south western France. The wine is made from predominantly Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes, sometimes with a little Muscadelle, affected by botrytis cinerea (noble rot). The botrytis cinerea allows the grapes to raisin (dry out) but also adds a distinctive flavour (typically dried apricot, but also orange marmalade) to the wines. Yields are low and erratic and production costs, from harvesting onwards, are extremely high which results in expensive wines. Sauternes is part of Bordeaux’s Grand Cru Classé hierarchy, and includes one Premier Cru Supérieur, Chateau d’Yquem.
