They are among the great sweet white wines of the world. Who can resist a Sauternes or its cousin, the Barsac. Winemakers of these mythical wines have joined forces to create a litany of creative cocktails with either a Sauternes or Barsac base to make summertime come alive with terrific taste sensations, all of which can be enjoyed right at home. These cocktails are swimmingly east to make and thoroughly sumptuous. They slide by in you at your own pace in the side show below.
These are rich and noble wines from the Bordeaux region, both made with predominately semillon grapes which are typical of the region, with small amounts of sauvignon blanc and on occasion muscadelle grapes which have been affected by the infamous noble rot or Botrytis cinerea. Barsac lies within the Sauternes region and goes by either name.
©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette
http://www.sauternes-barsac.com
A Gourmet Gazette Slide Show Resounding with Recipes
The Rabaud French Martini from the Château Rabaud Promis made with 1 ounce of Sauternes a half an ounce of Grand Marnier, 2 ounces of vodka and lemon zests. Place the liquid ingredients in a shaker add ice cubes, shake and strain twice. Garnish with lemon zests. Photo Rabaud Promis. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette 
From La Tour Blanche the Ginger Sweet by La Tour Blanche is made with five ounces of Sauternes, a slice of cucumber, two mint leaves, a slice of ginger over ice topped off with ginger ale. Photo La Tour Blanche. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette 
From the Château La Clotte Cazalis the Cuvée La Clotte made with a glass of Sauternes, an ice-cube and two sprigs of rosemary. Just combine them all into a glass. Photo Divino Conseils. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette 
From the Château Lafaury Peyraguey is the From Bommes with Love made with 1.3 ounces of Sauternes infused with goji berries, cardamom and juniper berries and 1.3 ounces of gin that has been aged in Sauternes barrels, like Thompson’s Gin du Sommelier. Pour into a glass mix and add two ice-cubes. Photo Divino Conseils. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette 
The Summer So from the Château Bastor-Lamontagne is made with two parts Sauternes, one part sparkling water, 3 raspberries, a basil leaf and two ice cubes. Combine the ingredients in a glass. Photo Divino Conseils. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette From the Château Guiraud The Petit Instant Guiraud is made with 3.4 ounces of Sauternes and your favorite ice crystal and garnished with a sprig of rosemary and a lime zest. Photo Château Guiraud. Handout via The Gourmet Gazette
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