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Petite Guiraud (375ml) 2011 Sauternes

Sweet, Old World, Semillon based from Sauternes, France

Past wine – out of stock. See here instead

 

Simply wonderful and unctuous sweetness but not heavy or cloying; sweet in the mouth but dry on swallowing; ideal. Partners creamy, salty cheeses such as Roquefort or Saint Agur.

Why we recommend this wine
Petite Guiraud is the second wine of Château Guiraud and 2011 is an excellent vintage for Sauternes. We have visited Château Guiraud on several occasions (see our visit notes here) and have always been impressed.

This wine
Petite Guiraud is made from sémillon (65%) and sauvignon (35%) picked from vines with an average age of 15 years. It is made slightly differently to the grand vin in that it is fermented partly in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and partly in used barrels. All this means that the wine has both freshness and minerality with a bit less sweetness. Petit Guiraud is produced naturally without any form of enrichment and meets the same standards as Château Guiraud.

The wine estate
Château Guiraud is the only Premier Grand Cru Classé of 1855 to have obtained organic certification for its vineyard and is strongly committed to a broad and genuine consideration of the environmental issues of wine production. It is owned by a consortium of Bordeaux businessmen and winemakers.

Food and wine
A great Easter tradition in Sauternes is to celebrate with foie gras and sauternes and this is one of the great food and wine matches. Another is the contrast between sweet and salty hence pairing sauternes with creamy blue cheeses. The people from the area suggest sauternes as an aperitif and with roast chicken.

Did you know?
Château Guiraud is one of several Premier Grand Cru estates surrounding the famed Chateau D'Yquem.

Château Guiraud website