{"id":6854,"date":"2019-02-19T01:00:40","date_gmt":"2019-02-19T01:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/?p=6854"},"modified":"2021-10-26T17:30:28","modified_gmt":"2021-10-26T21:30:28","slug":"10-sweet-wine-regions-of-bordeaux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/france\/10-sweet-wine-regions-of-bordeaux\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Sweet Wine Regions of Bordeaux To Know About"},"content":{"rendered":"

A visit to Southern Bordeaux offers an experience unlike anywhere else in the world. It’s here that some of the most iconic unfortified sweet wines are produced, across 10 uniquely stunning terroirs.<\/p>\n

In addition to the production of these wines — known for the integration of botrytis cinerea (noble rot) during viticulture and vinification — this region of Bordeaux offers the Winetraveler the ideal destination to immerse yourself in the wine culture of France.<\/p>\n

Heading South…<\/h2>\n

Southern Bordeaux’s appellations — more commonly referred to collectively as “Sweet Bordeaux” — play host to over 500 wine-producing properties, 27 of which are designated Classified Growths of 1855. Roughly 3000 hectares of grapevines are planted on both sides of the Garonne River, yielding 70,000 hectolitres of wine annually. That’s only 2% of total wine production across the entirety of Bordeaux.<\/p>\n

The 10 appellations we discuss below are all quality controlled “AOP”‘s (Appellation d’Origine Prot\u00e9g\u00e9e, formally known as AOC or Appellation d’origine contr\u00f4l\u00e9e).<\/p>\n

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RELATED:<\/strong> 30 Of The Best Wineries and Vineyards You Need To Experience in Bordeaux<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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\"Listening<\/a>
Listening to the man, the myth, the legend himself — Alexandre de Lur Saluces of Chateau de Fargues (former manager of Chateau d’Yquem) — discuss the upcoming harvest in October, 2018. Image via Greig Santos-Buch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In these areas it’s all about nuance, and the production practices here are some of the most intriguing and regulated in the wine world. Grapes are hand-harvested over multiple pickings while they reach optimal ripeness and\/or botrytis integration. Everything from pruning methods, the distance between rows, vines, mildew control and disease prevention must be balanced in the vineyard.<\/p>\n

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RELATED:<\/strong> An Overview of Sweet Bordeaux White Wines<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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Visit These Incredible Chateau in Sweet Bordeaux<\/h2>\n

Chateau Bastor Lamontagne<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chateau La Rame<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chateau du Cros<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chateau Langoiran (Manos)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chateau de Fargues<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chateau Clos Haut Peyraguey<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chateau Sigalas-Rabaud<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chateau Rayne Vigneau<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Chateau d’Yquem<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Sweet<\/a>
Map detailing Southern Bordeaux’s 10 Sweet Wine producing regions. Map courtesy Sweet Bordeaux Oficiel<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sweet Bordeaux’s 10 Appellations<\/h2>\n

Sauternes<\/h2>\n

The most famous of Sweet Bordeaux’s appellations, Sauternes hosts some of Bordeaux’s most recognized properties, including Chateau d’Yquem and Chateau de Fargues. Location wise, this region resides on the Left Bank of the Garonne and is one of the most-southerly, though it is part of the Graves district.<\/p>\n

While most assume that Sauternes is a single village, it actually encompasses the smaller villages of Barsac, Preignac, Fargues and Bommes. Sauternes wines are known for their full-bodied, opulent ripe flavors and their ability to maintain these nuances over long periods of aging.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Facts About Sauternes:<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n