Sauternes

Sauternes is a village in the Graves region of the Gironde department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, about 50 km south-east of Bordeaux and famed for its sweet white wines. The drive takes about one hour, and a car is the recommended transport mode because public transport is limited; organised small-group wine tours from Bordeaux cost about EUR 80-120 per person and remove the need for a sober driver. The sweet wines are made from grapes affected by noble rot, a mould that concentrates the sugars, and the misty mornings of the area help it develop. Several châteaux in and around the village offer cellar visits and tastings, usually by reservation, where visitors learn about the selective hand harvest and the ageing process. The village centre around the Place de la Mairie has tasting rooms and shops selling local wines and regional products, and vineyard lanes between the châteaux are pleasant for short walks. A suggested one-day arc leaves Bordeaux in the morning, arriving at a château for a late-morning visit and tasting. Lunch in the village pairs well with local dishes, since sweet wines are served with foie gras and blue cheese in the region, and the afternoon can be used for a second château or a stop in neighbouring Barsac, which produces a similar style of wine. The drive back to Bordeaux can follow the Garonne valley. The best season is April to October, when the vineyards are green and estates are open, and autumn harvest in late September to November is of particular interest because the grapes are picked in several passes. Tastings may be limited in winter. Tourist information is at sauternes-tourisme.com, and visitors should confirm opening times and tasting fees directly with each château.