Sauternes for Sale

Sauternes is an appellation within the Graves subregion of Burgundy, France. It is highly regarded for its intensely sweet dessert wines such as the Chateau d'Yquem, a Premier Cru Superieur classified wine. The area produces Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle, and particular to the region, botrytis-affected Sémillon.

Production costs in Sauternes are particularly high due to low yield of the terrain and the specific nature of cultivating the Botrytis cinerea affected vines. Grapes are hand picked over several months to ensure that the grapes are at their optimal sweetness, then fermented in small oak barrels. As a result the vintages are often are produced in 375mL bottles.