The sweet wines from the Sauternes region of Bordeaux are some of the oldest, most famous and most desirable wines in the world. In episode 136 of The Drinking Hour, David Kermode explores what makes them so special, including the magical and crucial effects of ‘noble rot’ (Botrytis) on the grapes that go into the wines. He is joined by Mathilde Aseretto, owner of Château Quincarnon, and Jean-Jacques Dubourdieu, co-president of the Sauternes and Barsac appellations, to discuss terroir, the winemaking process, the characteristics given to the wines by Botrytis and the challenges of working with it, and food pairings that go beyond desserts.
Discover more episodes of The Drinking Hour with David Kermode here
