Château d'ARCHE

Château d'Arche

Primeurs of Château d'Arche

Grand cru classé de Sauternes

The Château d'Arche vineyard expands over the hillsides surrounding the Sauternes village. This unique location close to the Ciron river, allows our vines to benefit from a particularly favorable micro-climate. In Autum, thick morning mists cover the Sauternes valley and are then dispersed by the afternoon sun. 

This  enable.  This  the development of Botrytis Cinerea, this delicate "noble rot" essential for the growth of outstanding Sauternes wines.

Covering over 40 hectares, the Château d'Arche vineyard is planted on a variety of soils composed of 70% gravel, 20% clay and 10 % limestone.  Each soil type expresses itself differently contributing to the harmonious balance of Château d'Arche wines.  The gravel soil provides structure and strength while the clay-limestone soils help develop delicate aromas. The North-South plantation axis of the vineyard ensures the grapes a maximum amount of sunshine throughout the day.

Vue aérienne du Château d'ARCHE à Sauternes

Wine-Food pairings

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A refined aperitif

Sauternes remains a delicious aperitif wine.  Served with Roquefort cheese or melon Sauternes is a prestigious wine to be enjoyed amongst friends.

Delicious with Asian cuisine

Sauternes wines blend very well with spicy dishes, combining well with aromas such as ginger, citronella and other eastern flavors.

Ideal throughout the meal

Sweet and Savory! Sauternes can be served throughout the meal with foie gras, shellfish, white meats (roasted or in sauce), exquisite with fish, seasoned cheeses.

Serving and storage recommendations

Sauternes wines should be stored horizontally and served chilled between 10° and 12°C (50°-54°F). An opened bottle can be kept for several days in the refrigerator without altering the quality or aroma of the wine.

The vineyard

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOIL

  • Southern exposition
  • Row plantation axis : North / South
  • Soil types :
  • 70 % gravels
  • 25% clay and limestone
  • 5% silts

The vineyard soil is composed of gravely hilltops, clay on hillsides and silts downhill.

Each soil type has a specific affect on the grape vine that in turn, produce different characteristics in finished wines. Strength from the gravels, aroma from the clays and delicacy from the silts. The North to South plantation axis provides the grapes with maximum sunlight all day long.

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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VINE

  • The property counts 88 ac. of which 71 are classified.
  • 90% Sémillon
  • 9% Sauvignon
  • 1% Muscadelle
  • Average vineyard age : 45 years
  • Plantation density : 6600 vine heads per Ha.
  • Average output (10 last years) : 17 hl./ha

The age of the vineyard is an important factor in producing high quality wines. Older vines produce grapes with complex aromas and exceptionally elevated concentration levels.

Winemaking

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GRAPE PICKING

The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand. Grape picking generally begins by the 20th of September and is completed by the end of October. Selective picking is adopted to ensure that only botrytised grapes are selected (4 or 5 pickings).

PRESSING

The harvested grapes are selected according to their qualities and then placed into wine-presses to extract the must.

SETTLING THE JUICES

The juices are stocked in a tank overnight to allow the principal impurities to sediment. The purified wine is then placed in vats. Deposits that remain in the tank and must not filter through into the barrels.

FERMENTING

Fermentation takes place in barrels.  Select yeasts are employed according to the grape variety and the sugar content. Fermentation can last from 15 days to 1 month.

FORTIFICATION

This process consists of destroying the yeast cultures to keep the sugars in the wine. Cold, sulfur or racking is used to clarify the wine.

RACKING

Racking is used to clarify the wine. Barrels are cleaned after being emptied of their content. The wine then returns to the clean barrels.

TOPPING

Each week the barrels are topped off to compensate for loss due to evaporation.

BLENDING

Each wine batch is them blended according to its gustatory and analytical qualities, in order to create well balanced wines.

BOTTLING

Bottling takes place after 18 months of maturing in oak barrels.

Château d'Arche

Grand cru classé de Sauternes

The Château d'Arche vineyard expands over the hillsides surrounding the Sauternes village. This unique location close to the Ciron river, allows our vines to benefit from a particularly favorable micro-climate. In Autum, thick morning mists cover the Sauternes valley and are then dispersed by the afternoon sun. 

This  enable.  This  the development of Botrytis Cinerea, this delicate "noble rot" essential for the growth of outstanding Sauternes wines.

Covering over 40 hectares, the Château d'Arche vineyard is planted on a variety of soils composed of 70% gravel, 20% clay and 10 % limestone.  Each soil type expresses itself differently contributing to the harmonious balance of Château d'Arche wines.  The gravel soil provides structure and strength while the clay-limestone soils help develop delicate aromas. The North-South plantation axis of the vineyard ensures the grapes a maximum amount of sunshine throughout the day.

Vue aérienne du Château d'ARCHE à Sauternes