If someone asked you for a Sémillon recommendation, Sauternes would be one of the most prestigious places to start.
Sauternes is an intensely sweet dessert wine from the Sauternes appellation in Bordeaux, France, made primarily from the Sémillon grape — sometimes blended with Sauvignon Blanc. It is one of the most celebrated and expensive wines in the world, and for good reason.
What makes it so unique — and so pricey — is how it is made. The grapes must be affected by a fungus called Botrytis cinerea, which punctures tiny holes in the grape skins and causes the water inside to evaporate. That evaporation concentrates the sugars and flavors left behind, producing a wine that is rich, luscious, and complex — with flavors of honey, apricot, and dried fruit.
It is one of the most fascinating winemaking processes in the world, and Sauternes is the perfect introduction to what Sémillon is truly capable of.
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