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Château Suduiraut: Two dry wines from a sweet wine château
This is a first growth from Sauternes according to the 1855 classification. While known for its botrytized sweet wines, the château also makes dry whites from Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Not every label from a château in a sweet wine region is sweet.
Compare the two dry wines from 2022, explaining the shared aging period and differences in grape varieties and new oak ratio.
Questions for this course
What is the difference between Pur Sémillon and Vieilles Vignes?
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To explanation task notes ↓Château Suduiraut / Learn from the producers
France / Bordeaux / Sauternes
Also known as / Label: Château Suduiraut / シャトー スデュイロー
Updated: 2026-10-07
Choose parcels specifically for dry wines
Vieilles Vignes is a dry white wine made from selected parcels of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. The blend for 2022 is 55% and 45%. Do not assume a wine is sweet just because it comes from a Sauternes château; check the 'Blanc Sec' label indication as well.
A wine made solely from Sémillon
Pur Sémillon 2022 is a dry white made from 100% Sémillon selected from a small parcel. According to the documentation, the average vine age is 55 years, which differs from Vieilles Vignes's 45 years. Even in the same year, this is not an experiment where only the grape composition is changed.
There are also differences in new barrel ratio
Both labels are aged for 9 months, but the percentage of new barrels is 30% for Vieilles Vignes and 50% for Pur Sémillon. Although the duration is the same, the barrel usage history is not. In comparisons, retain this difference in addition to plots and grape varieties.
What to align and what to compare.
Raw material
- Conditions to standardize
- 2022 dry wine from the same producer
- Conditions for comparison.
- Blend and single variety
- Additional points to confirm
- Plot and vine age
Aging
- Conditions to standardize
- 9 months
- Conditions for comparison.
- 30% and 50% new barrels
- Additional points to confirm
- Do not compare only grape varieties
Labeling
- Conditions to standardize
- Same château name
- Conditions for comparison.
- Labels for sweet and dry wines
- Additional points to confirm
- Blanc Sec on the label
Order of reading and key points to consider in each article
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Reading Château Suduiraut’s materials: Two dry wines from a sweet wine château
Match comparison tables with cited sources and explain differences in raw materials and vinification process.
Comparison tables are based on the cited sources. Please distinguish between vintage-specific specifications and general descriptions at the time of confirmation.
| Comparison items | Vieilles Vignes 2022 | Pur Sémillon 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Blending | 55% Sémillon, 45% SB | 100% Sémillon |
| Average vine age (as stated in reference) | 45 years | 55 years |
| Aging/new oak proportion | 9 months / 30% | 9 months / 50% |
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Read the explanation for each question
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What is the blend for Vieilles Vignes 2022?
Vieilles Vignes is a dry white wine made from selected parcels of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. The blend for 2022 is 55% and 45%. Do not assume a wine is sweet just because it comes from a Sauternes château; check the 'Blanc Sec' label indication as well.
What are the sources of Pur Sémillon 2022?
Pur Sémillon 2022 is a dry white made from 100% Sémillon selected from a small parcel. According to the documentation, the average vine age is 55 years, which differs from Vieilles Vignes's 45 years. Even in the same year, this is not an experiment where only the grape composition is changed.
What is the common aging period?
Both labels are aged for 9 months, but the percentage of new barrels is 30% for Vieilles Vignes and 50% for Pur Sémillon. Although the duration is the same, the barrel usage history is not. In comparisons, retain this difference in addition to plots and grape varieties.
Basis and sources for the exercise
Practice exercises in comparison
Match comparison tables with cited sources and explain differences in raw materials and vinification process.
Read examples of organizing comparisons
| Conditions for Comparison | Vieilles Vignes 2022 | Pur Sémillon 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Blending | 55% Sémillon, 45% SB | 100% Sémillon |
| Average vine age (as stated in reference) | 45 years | 55 years |
| Aging/new oak proportion | 9 months / 30% | 9 months / 50% |
Sources of materials used for comparison are listed in the text and exercises.
Explain in your own words
Compare the two dry wines from 2022, explaining the shared aging period and differences in grape varieties and new oak ratio.
Check after writing
- Did you associate each label with its region and grape variety?
- Did you separate the shared and differing conditions in your comparison?
- Did you clearly indicate the year(s) the material covers or the date checked?
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