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Barsac
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The village of Barsac is mainly residential, with a few shops and bars, and no restaurants other than the hotel-restaurant Chateau de Rolland on the outskirts of the village. But sitting just north of its far more famous sister commune, Sauternes, on the left bank of the Garonne, it has the unique luxury of selling its wines as either AOC Barsac, or the more recognizable AOC Sauternes—an indulgence denied to the Sauternais. Alternatively, the vignerons of Barsac may also signify their double allegiance by using the increasingly popular name of Sauternes-Barsac.
Terroir of the Commune The crucial element to the character of the sweet wines of Barsac is the very special microclimate that it enjoys being situated as it is on the banks of the Garonne River. In the Autumn, morning mists linger gently off its cool waters and into the nearby vineyards, and soon after these are followed by characteristically warm and sunny afternoons; the perfect combination of these two climatic elements creates an ideal condition for the growth of the beneficial Botrytis mold which dehydrates and intensifies the sweetness of the grapes. This is the same effect that the fortunate growers of nearby Sauternes count on for the production of their famous wines.
Character and Styles of Barsac Wines The flat land of Barsac is quite a bit richer in sand and limestone than its neighbor, and thus many have observed that there is a noticeable natural lightness to its wines by comparison. In years where the Botrytis becomes especially concentrated, however, the wines of Barsac can easily attain the depth and complexity of a great Sauternes. And on the whole, wines designated as AOC Barsac are generally more reliable than Sauternes—with a pronounced apple-like bouquet and a consistently sharper acidity that sets it apart.
Standout Wines of Barsac
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