By Malvina Demaj Last Updated: Mar 17, 2026

Sauternes

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DEFINITION

Sauternes

Sauternes is a French wine from Bordeaux, particularly the Sauternes and Barsac regions. Sauternes wine is made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea (noble rot). The fungus dehydrates the grapes, concentrating their sugars and flavors so that the resulting wines are distinctly sweet, rich and high in acidity. The most famous producer is Château d’Yquem, a Premier Cru Supérieur estate.

Did you know? In the US, "sauterne" (without the "s" and uncapitalized) is sometimes used to label generic, non botrytized sweet white wines.

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