In 1787 a Thomas Jefferson, ambassador to France, who became later president of the United States, declared Chateau Coutet as the best Sauternes of Barsac. Even today its products are known all over the world for the tradition of quality that distinguishes them. The cellar for aging wines is the longest of the AOC, with its 110m, used until the 19th century as a stable for horses. Producers of wines since 1643, the estate had already been founded in the 13th century as an English military fortress. The particular combination of morning mist and afternoon dryness favors the formation of the noble rot, Botrytis, which attacks the grapes and concentrates the aromas, at the same time imparting a very distinctive olfactory trait. The deep roots of older plants are able to extract the best from the calcareous clay soils, characterized by the presence of pebbles that prevent excess of water and assure the right heating of the plant. Very few areas in the world can boast such an excellent environment for the development of Botrytis Cinerea, the mushroom that give life to the very famous Sauternes-Barsac.
