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Suduiraut launches Sauternes for younger audience
Château Suduiraut has launched a new style of Sauternes to attract a younger consumer.
The wine, called Les Lions de Suduiraut, is made from grapes affected by noble rot, but is described as “fresher and fruitier than its traditional counterparts”.
It is also being pitched as an aperitif while “having the depth and gravitas to partner puddings and blue cheese”.
The wine is from the 2009 vintage and comes with 14% abv and 134 g/l of residual sugar, just under 30g/l less than the estate’s Château Suduiraut from the same harvest, with 160 g/l.
Christian Seely, managing director of AXA Millésimes, owner of the property, told the drinks business that it “was no secret that Sauternes has its difficulties”.
However, he added: “I continue to be optimistic about the long term potential for these wines because they are so beautiful… and I think the wines of Sauternes are better than they have ever been.”
Seely, who stressed that Suduiraut was profitable, also pointed out that “it requires a very little change in consumption habits to make a big difference.”
He said that the total production of Sauternes and Barsac “in a good year” is 6 million bottles, but that demand is currently around 5m.
As a result he said, “For individual Sauternes proprietors life can be very hard, but if you can afford to take the long term view then there is a very serious reason to be there and to stay there.”
Les Lions de Suduiraut has a gold label featuring the lions from the château’s crest and is currently available from Avery’s of Bristol with a price of £15.
The launch of this Sauternes follows AXA’s attempt to bring new consumers into the Port category, particularly in the US, with the introduction of “Black” from its Douro estate, Quinta do Noval.
Other wines from Suduiraut include the extremely limited production Crème de Tête, the grand vin Château Suduiraut, and a second wine called Castelnau de Suduiraut.
The property also introduced a dry wine in 2003 called S de Suduiraut with a maximum production of 500 cases.