APPELLATION
The Sauternes appellation consists of five communes: Sauternes, Fargues, Bommes, Preignac, and Barsac. Barsac has its own separate appellation as well.
Sauternes is considered the finest white wine in the world by many connoisseurs. The jewel of Sauternes, Château d’Yquem was the only estate in either the Médoc or Sauternes to be classified a “Premier Cru Supérieur” in 1855.
The appellation is separated from the Graves on its western side by the Ciron valley. The Ciron River is responsible for the microclimate particularly conducive to the development of Botrytis cinerea, a fungus that concentrates the grapes and produces outstanding wines.