Château Guiraud

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The Château Guiraud is located 45 kilometers south of Bordeaux, on the left bank of the Garonne River. The Château Guiraud vineyard covers an area of 128 hectares and is unique in that it is entirely located within the town of Sauternes.

For the past 25 years, the Château Guiraud strives to implement methods that contribute to the creation of a balanced ecosystem where plant and animal species can coexist. Only the Sémillon (65%) and Sauvignon (35%) grape varieties are grown to produce AOC Sauternes wines. The harvest is done by hand through successive passes (2 to 6 passes) of botrytized grapes. The aging of the wines Château Guiraud is aged in barrels for 18 to 24 months, depending on the vintage.

Its character stems from the nobility of these lands, whose soil consists of 80% sandy gravel rich in limestone and heavy clay. It is also the presence of springs that provide the water necessary for draining the vineyards. Every autumn, everything is ready for the harvesters, who delicately pick the dark-colored grapes—a result of a fungus called "Botrytis Cinerea"—initiating an aromatic process that imparts the essential flavors to the grapes at Château Guiraud.

Château Guiraud was the first wine to be classified as a Grand Cru Classé in 1855. It then received a second certification—for organic farming—in 2011. A great wine is also all about the grape varieties. Guiraud white wine favors Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc to create its unique character through estate-based winemaking. The result is a wine that is very different from other great Sauternes. A single tasting, even blind, identifies it from the very first sip.

The verdict on the palate.

The bouquet offers notes of botrytized fruit with a pronounced mineral character, yielding delicate aromas of white flowers. The palate reveals a lovely freshness that lingers with a light citrus acidity, evoking orange and mandarin peel, followed by a subtle hint of ginger. Depending on the vintage, one may also detect aromas of spices and white fruits, such as very ripe peach and apricot.

The role of Château Guiraud wines in fine dining.

All food connoisseurs are well aware of the appeal of Sauternes wines in fine dining. For appetizers and starters, one might mention dishes featuring Roquefort, foie gras, and even caviar. As for main courses, one can safely include veal chops with Roquefort, quail with foie gras, and rabbit with Gorgonzola. For cheeses, the entire range of blue cheeses, of course, and—as one might expect—Roquefort. And let’s not forget desserts: delightful local specialties such as Bordeaux cannelés or prunes in Sauternes are sure to delight!

For more information, visit the website at Guiraud

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