Winery: Château Haut Rian
Region: Bordeaux
Locale: Rions (Bordeaux) France
Appellation:  Bordeaux SEC
Designation: AOC

In a few words: Fresh, fruity, and maritime.

Site: The 35-year-old vines are rooted in a clay-loam soil nestled into a hillside 60-102m above sea level, in the town of Soulignac, in the heart of the Entre-Deux-Mers.

Grapes: 60% Sémillon, 40% Sauvignon Blanc

Fermentation and Aging: Stainless steel vinification in this spanking-clean winery. 25% of the grapes get 18 hours of skin contact at low temperature. The free-run juice is then fermented at low temperatures. Settled in stainless steel vats before being bottled in February after the vintage.

Notes:  This refreshing wine delivers striking scents of lime and lemon rind, whiffs of honeydew and even a hint of seashells. Crisp and crunchy on the palate. The fresh fruit characteristic of Sauvignon Blanc is perfect match for the richness of Sémillon.

The two grapes are like racehorses, with the Sauvignon charging off in the lead but with the Semillon catching up and winning the race as the wine ages in the bottle. Perhaps the most ideal pairing in the entire world with Arcachon's famous Oysters, believe me: Château Haut Rian Bordeaux Blanc is to oysters as milk is to cookies. A perfect match.  ~ Joe Kotnik