This week on November 11th, the wineries of Sauternes and Barsac graciously open their doors to visitors.  Each year, the first weekend in November is on the vagabond’s agenda:  this time around, the 11th has been added to November 7th and 8th.  It is an ideal time to visit the thumb-shaped strip of vineyards south of Bordeaux as the late harvest of sweet grapes is underway. Weeks of thick autumn fog have encouraged the development of botrytis cinerea, an essential fungal phenomenon condensing sweetness in each hand-picked grape. To find the region south of Bordeaux, trace the Garonne river to Barsac, which lies at the top of  the thumb, then follow the Ciron river south. Sauternes vineyards flank the river as it flows to the town of Sauternes at the base of the vignoble. But if a trip to the Bordeaux region isn’t in the picture for you this week, flip through the pages of National Geographic Books’ Food Journeys of a Lifetime to find my entry on French dessert wines, from Sauternes to Monbazillac.  To order this deliciously illustrated book, go to:

http://shop.nationalgeograhic.com tap: new books

For more on Sauternes’ special micro-climate and its elegant wines – both sweet and dry, visit:

www.sauternes-barsac.com , tap English, then Wine & Cuisine for a wealth of information on the grape varieties, pairing with food, and storage tips.