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Sauternais

Written by Madeline Puckette

sow-turn-aye

A group of rare dessert wines from Bordeaux made with Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes infected with a special kind of rot called Botrytis cinerea that concentrates the grape sugars.

Primary Flavors

  • Lemon Curd
  • Apricot
  • Quince
  • Honey
  • Ginger

Taste Profile

Very-sweet

Full Body

None Tannins

Medium-high Acidity

11.5–13.5% ABV

Handling

  • SERVE
    45–55°F / 7-12°C

  • GLASS TYPE
    Dessert

  • DECANT
    No

  • CELLAR
    10+ Years

Food Pairing

Excellent served with wash-rind soft cheeses where the sweetness in the wine counteracts the “funk” of the cheese. The most classic pairing is Roquefort.

Written byMadeline Puckette

James Beard Award-winning author and Wine Communicator of the Year. I co-founded Wine Folly to help people learn about wine. @WineFolly