📜 Barsac
A commune next to Sauternes making sweet white wines from grapes with noble rot.
Barsac is a commune on the left bank of the Garonne river in Bordeaux, next to Sauternes. Sweet white wines are made here from grapes affected by noble rot. This is a special mould: it draws water out of the berries, and the sugar in them becomes concentrated.
The conditions for the mould come from two neighbouring rivers. The cold Ciron flows into the warm Garonne, and in autumn mornings fog lies over the land while the sun comes out later in the day. Such weather is just what noble rot needs. The soils are limestone and lie shallow.
The main grape is Sémillon, with Sauvignon Blanc and a little Muscadelle added. The grapes are picked in several passes, choosing berries already touched by the mould. The crop is small, so the wines are costly.
Barsac is a protected appellation, a PDO. Producers in Barsac may also sell their wine under the name Sauternes, but Barsac stresses a lighter, fresher style. Such wines are served chilled, with foie gras and blue cheeses.
Links
- Where it is
- 📍 Sauternais
- Main grapes
- 🍇 Sémillon, 🍇 Sauvignon Blanc, 🍇 Muscadelle
- Wines
- 🍷 White wine, 🍷 Sweet wine
Frequently asked questions
What is Barsac?
A commune in Bordeaux where sweet white wines are made from berries with noble rot.
How is Barsac different from Sauternes?
They are neighbouring zones with similar wines; Barsac is often lighter and fresher, and its producers may also use the Sauternes name.
What is noble rot?
A special mould that draws water out of the berries so that the sugar in them becomes concentrated.
Similar
📜 Sauternes · 📜 Cadillac · 📜 Cérons · 📜 Rosette · 📜 Côtes de Montravel · 📜 Graves Supérieures
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.