Sauternes

Known as 'Bordeaux's Gold', and located to the south-east of the region, Sauternes depends heavily on the local conditions and on an unusual fungus and winemaking technique, with the mists along the River Ciron on autumn evenings, causing a particular form of mold, known as 'noble rot', to form on the grapes, reducing them to brown pulp. However, instead of giving them a flavour of rot, this allows the escape of a portion of water, fully concentrating the sugar, acids and flavouring within them.

To be able to use the 'Sauternes' title, the wine must have a minimum 13% level and pass a tasting exam with criteria for sweetness.