Sauternes

by Wen

Things to Do & See

1. CHATEAU D’YQUEM

There are many Chateaux vineyards to visit in the Bordeaux region, and Château d-Yquem is one of the very best. It produces the most highly esteemed sweet wine in the world.

Sauternes is made from a combination of the big three Bordeaux white grapes: Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes. It is very expensive due largely to the very high cost of production.

2. CHATEAU GUIRAUD

Guiraud is also the oldest and one of the largest in Sauternes with over 100 hectares of vines. The grounds of this facility are beautiful, very calm and forested, with trees right along the main walkway.

3. CHATEAU FILHOT

The Chateau Filhot was founded in 1709. Their vines are planted with 60% of Sémillon, 34% of Sauvignon blanc, and 6% of Muscadelle.

4. CHATEAU RIEUSSEC

Chateau Rieussec 2001 was selected as Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year in 2004.

5. RELAIS DU CHATEAU D’ARCHE

We spent one night at the Chateau d’Arche. It’s a beautiful building fully updated in the middle of the vineyards with fabulous views all around. There are restaurants in walking distance, but almost everything closes after lunch on Sunday.

Breakfast at Relais du Chateau d’Arche

Baguette vending machine

France