Which commune in Graves produces sweet white wine?

• A. Pessac-Léognan
• B. Sauternes
• C. Sainte-Croix-du-Mont
• D. Pauillac

Answer: (B)

Sweet white wines from the Graves region are typified by Sauternes, a commune known for botrytized wines. These wines rely on noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) to concentrate sugars and flavors, producing a luscious balance of sweetness and acidity. The blend is typically Semillon with smaller amounts of Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle, and the conditional climate—mists in autumn that encourage Botrytis—helps create the hallmark style.

Among the options, Sauternes is the one associated with this famous sweet wine. Pessac-Léognan is part of Graves but is best known for dry whites and reds, not the sweet botrytized wines. Pauillac lies in the Medoc and is renowned for red wines, while Sainte-Croix-du-Mont is in the Bergerac region and, while it produces sweet whites, it is not within Graves.