Cérons, a discreet but inspired gem
At Cérons, it all starts with… the Ciron River. It won’t come as a surprise to know that this river, with its unique microclimate propitious to the development of noble rot, is the appellation’s namesake. This little-known terroir produces fine and refreshing golden white wines, which are truly irresistible!
What is the Cérons wine region?
Key points to remember
- Just 12 estates spanning 25 hectares and the 3 communes of Illats, Podensac and, of course, Cérons.
- The vines are nestled in the heart of the Graves PDO, to the northwest of Barsac, on gravel and limestone terraces that give the wines the fortitude to stand the test time with elegance. But we’ll tell you more about that later.
- The Ciron River runs through the winegrowing area, and this small tributary of the Garonne River makes all the difference. Its morning fog encourages the growth of a microscopic fungus called Botrytis cinerea, which creates the famous noble rot that makes the sweet white wines of Cérons so magical!
Why do people love Cérons and its wines?
- Because in this little-known PDO, each bottle is something to be treasured
- Because with their subtlety and aromatic grace, the wines tell the story of an exceptional terroir
- Because their aging potential is out of this world
- Because they are the result of meticulous and patient expertise: late harvests and overripe grapes picked by hand in successive passes
- Because from the aperitif to accompanying a delicious roast chicken, or while enjoying a piece of Comté cheese, these wines are perfect for all occasions
- Because here there is everything you need for a fabulous wine tourism experience: delicious wines to taste, the riverbanks of the Ciron to admire, and the Graves and Sauternes wine route to explore
what is the
Cérons style?
Cérons wines offer a dream combo of delicate sweetness, pure aromas and freshness.
This remarkable mineral freshness is emblematic of the gravelly soils and Ciron River.
The sweet white wines of Cérons are less opulent than their Sauternes counterparts, but they do offer a more ethereal, aromatic elegance, and their complexity is astonishing. Smooth and silky on the palate, they have a lively acidity that makes them as light as a feather. You will find a whole host of delicious nuances within, including honey, dried apricots, quince, candied citrus fruit and white flowers. With aging, notes of beeswax, toasted almonds and sweet spices join the show, much to the delight of the taste buds!
Thanks to this perfect balance between sweetness and freshness, these wines are enjoyable young, but will have you head over heels after a few years of cellaring.
Time is definitely on the side of Cérons wines: they can lie dormant for at least ten years in the cellar, and even more than three decades for the most concentrated ones.
See also: Grape varietiesWhich kind of wines can be found in Cérons?
Sweet white wines, obviously!
Sémillon gives these wines their soul, making them rich and well-structured with delicious aromas of honey, candied citrus fruit, dried apricots and beeswax. Sauvignon Blanc adds a welcome touch of freshness, with its notes of white flowers, citrus and tropical fruit. A hint of Muscadelle adds the finishing touch of smoothness, not to mention floral and musky overtones.
Fun facts
Three fun facts you need to know about Cérons
Think you know all there is to know about the appellation? Think again!
1.
Cérons is the smallest of all the Bordeaux appellations in terms of vineyards in production, even though it covers an area as large as the Sauternes appellation. And in certain years, its winegrowers prioritize making Graves white wines.
2.
Have you tried a Cérons paired with pan-fried scallops and citrus? It’s a sweet and savory combination that really hits the spot! Give it a go as soon as you can if you haven’t already.
3.
Sauvignon Gris almost completely disappeared from the region, but in the 1990s, a handful of local winegrowers replanted this historic grape variety, and thus enhanced the aromatic complexity of their wines.
Let’s talk about the soil
In Cérons, the vines draw their identity from siliceous gravel soils (made up of pebbles and coarse sand in layers of varying depths depending on the plot) on a marine limestone subsoil characteristic of the PDO.
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The result is a mineral freshness which is well worth the detour and, by extension, offers impressive aging potential, while the limestone subsoil further emphasizes this distinctive character that delights so many wine lovers.
Let’s travel back in time
The Ciron River has been an ally of the Cérons vines and the famous noble rot for several centuries. In the Middle Ages, the wines produced around the river had the English and Bordeaux merchants in quite a frenzy.
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The 19th century brought with it phylloxera, putting the vineyards to the test, but they gradually recovered thanks to the tenacity of the winegrowers. Their wines even experienced a resurgence of interest in the following century.
Meanwhile, the Cérons PDO became official in 1936, alongside other prestigious Bordeaux appellations. Since then, it has remained discreet and little-known, but of a quality that never fails to impress.
