Who says sweet can’t be sexy and sophisticated? I promise you that mouths will water and a chorus of ooh la la’s will be uttered when you serve your guests a selection of elegant sweet wines from Bordeaux this holiday season. Contrary to some widely held misconceptions, sweet wines can be complex and full of finesse. The source of some of the world’s most celebrated and expensive sweet wines, Bordeaux also produces sweet wines that are budget-friendly but absolutely chic and delicious.
image courtesy of Sweet Bordeaux
Bordeaux may be most famous for their iconic red blends but sweet white wines make up a petite but important 2% of the region’s total production. In Bordeaux, sweet wines are produced primarily from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle grapes. It is incredibly labor-intensive to produce quality sweet wines and while one vine can produce approximately an entire bottle of fine red wine, a vine only yields one glass of sweet wine.
No sugar is added in Bordeaux to enhance the sweetness of the wines; it comes naturally from the selection of perfectly ripened grapes and often from grapes that have been impacted by the poetically named Noble Rot. Officially known as Botrytis Cinerea, Noble Rot is a fungus that infects overripe grapes. A friendly fungus, Noble Rot concentrates the grape’s sugars and flavors but maintains the vital acidity that is needed to keep sweet wines lively and mouthwatering instead of sticky and cloying. Bordeaux’s location off the Atlantic coast in the southwest of France, creates an oceanic climate which is ideal for promoting the growth of the desired Noble Rot.
Sweet Bordeaux and oysters. A surprising but winning pairing that works because of the freshness and minerality of the wine.
image courtesy of Sweet Bordeaux
I recently took a deep dive into a selection of sweet Bordeaux wines via a virtual tasting hosted by Snooth and led by Jean K. Reilly, Master of Wine. Jean praised sweet wines from Bordeaux for their versatility and strongly believes that they shouldn’t just be reserved for special occasions. As Jean said these are “wines you can even have with Tuesday night dinner!” She even mentioned sweet Bordeaux as a surprisingly great match with barbecue. Bring on the baby back ribs and a bottle of sweet Bordeaux! And you really can’t beat the combination of sweet Bordeaux paired with something savory, like a beautiful blue cheese, liver paté, or charcuterie.
While many opt to serve sweet wines with desserts, Jean reminded us that they are called dessert wines because they were originally intended to BE the dessert and not paired with sweets. I agree. I often prefer to savor a glass of sweet wine at the end of a meal instead of a pastry. Because we sip sweet wines more slowly, remember to serve sweet Bordeaux wines icy cold. And to keep them from warming up too quickly, Jean recommends adding a piece of frozen dried ginger, mango, mandarin, or pineapple to the glass. Not only do these fruits mirror some of the aromas and flavors found in sweet Bordeaux, they will keep your wine cool without diluting the flavor. Sweet Bordeaux can also be used to make cocktails. Jean recommends mixing them with brown spirits or bitters like Amaro.
Are you ready to take your palate on a sweet journey to Bordeaux? The seven wines listed below are all delicious and affordable options. Sweet Bordeaux wines are produced in 8 designated areas on both banks of the Garonne river but all of the wines listed below are from the right bank.
Château des Arroucats Sainte Croix du Mont 2017 ($14)
A blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon, this sweet wine from one of the most respected wineries in the appellation delivers plenty of bang for your buck. Exotic and spicy aromas with flavors of dried orange rind, spicy fruit cake, and orange liqueur.
Château Loupiac-Gaudiet 2016 ($17)
A big and luscious blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon, it is bold and fresh with flavors of marzipan, ginger candy, and honey.
Château Cousteau Cadillac 2016 ($18)
Crisp and rich but impressively fresh and fruity with charming flavors of dried tropical fruit. Blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon.
Château du Cros Loupiac 2016 ($21)
A supple, velvety and fresh blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc. Rich flavors of candied fruit and peach with a hint of spice.
Château Dauphiné Rondillon Loupiac 2009 ($23)
Made from Sémillon and Sauvignon vines planted in 1910. Rich and juicy with a beautiful tapestry of orange, almond, and exotic spice flavors.
Château la Rame Sainte Croix du Mont 2016 ($30)
Blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon with gorgeous flavors of candied fruits, vanilla, and acacia flower that are balanced by freshness and minerality.
Château de Marsan Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux 2015 ($40)
A fresh and mineral blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon, and Muscadelle with flavors of mandarin and white flowers.
Visit the Sweet Bordeaux website to learn more about the wines, region, and suggested pairings.
