Sauternes has a reputation of being an after-dinner or dessert wine. But Château Rieussec is here to challenge that stereotype. Join Mathieu Crosnier, our Estate Manager on an enlightening journey to London.
Sweet wines like Sauternes are often pigeonholed as dessert wines. Château Rieussec, 1er Grand Cru Classé 1855, shifts that perception. To experience the wine’s endless possibilities, Mathieu Crosnier explored London’s vibrant food scene to uncover new pairings for Château Rieussec.
The result? A London Diary, revealing a different side of London through the golden light of Château Rieussec.
Mathieu’s culinary expedition began on a Sunday morning in Hackney, where he whipped up brunch at a friend’s place, using fresh produce from Broadway Market. The spread: scrambled eggs, sourdough toast, an ancient tomato salad, and figs. Mathieu and his friends finished the meal on the sunlit terrace, enjoying Cornish oysters alongside a bottle of Château Rieussec 2021. The briny taste of the oysters were paired with the rich, rounded profile of the young wine. Once they were done, Mathieu put the cork back in and stored the bottle in the fridge for later.
Pro tip: If you keep an opened bottle of Château Rieussec cool, it can be enjoyed for several weeks thanks to “Bil,” its removable stopper. Curious about Bil and want to learn more about Château Rieussec’s unique design? Check it out here.
Monday, off to Mayfair for lunch!
Located in the heart of Grosvenor Square, Benares, a Michelin-starred restaurant, offers a modern take on the bold flavours of the ancient Indian city, under the guidance of Chef Sameer Taneja. Indian cuisine paired with Sauternes? That’s exactly what Mathieu was about to discover!
Seated around a beautifully lit table with a view of Taneja’s bustling kitchen, Mathieu and his friends listened as the chef explained how the wine’s freshness and acidity complement Indian dishes.
‘Contrast is key,’ Taneja said, just as the first course — Benares’ signature street food: bread pakoras and pani puri — was served. What followed were a host of creative dishes. Oysters with raw mango, tiger’s milk, sea bream. Tawa halibut with clam moilee. And the robust, aged Sauternes balanced the rich flavours of venison tikka and lamb chop pulao. Turns out South Asia via Sauternes is an inspired idea.
On the third day of his journey, overcome by a craving for a little ‘apéro in London’ (perhaps a hint of homesickness?), Mathieu headed to Henri in Covent Garden, a restaurant that blends Parisian bistro style with British fare.
A table in the sun, a few friends, and a bottle of Château Rieussec 2022 — it was time to dig into Henri’s sharing plates. The menu highlighted the perfect pairings for the 2022 vintage, ideal for a light apéro. Mathieu’s top picks from the menu: jambon de Paris with celeriac remoulade, raw beef, duck liver, and pommes allumettes.
Thursday, back to Mayfair for dinner. Park Chinois is a tribute to the glamorous supper clubs of 1930s Shanghai, and Mathieu was eager to experience Chef Liang Koon Chuen’s menu. The dinner kicked off with salt and pepper shrimp, spring rolls, and bamboo steamers filled with glistening dumplings, all complemented by a 2011 Château Rieussec. The wine’s generous, full-bodied freshness balanced the fiery kick of the appetisers. The highlight of the meal? Deep-fried duck with pancakes, paired with the Château Rieussec 2005, a vintage celebrated for its smooth, rounded palate, candied notes, and long, lingering finish.
The night wasn’t over yet. Mathieu made his way to the rooftop of Sparrow, situated in Avery Row near Bond Street, where a cigar sommelier introduced him to the most unexpected pairing yet. Syafiera Rosidi is a Master of Havana Cigars, a prestigious title held by less than 40 people in the world.
While pairing a Château Rieussec 2001 with a Davidoff Maduro Syafier Rosidi shared her insights on the similarities between cigars and wine. Factors like terroir, fermentation and blending shape the flavour of a cigar.
The cigar’s taste developed with each puff, just like the 2001 vintage — the oldest wine Mathieu had brought on this journey — evolved in both the bottle and the glass.
There you have it. London through a new lens, courtesy of Mathieu and Château Rieussec. Isn’t it time we all saw the (golden) light?
Rieussec is flipping the script on everything you thought you knew about Sauternes. Here, four easy pairings – no foie gras or roquefort in sight.
Not a fan of Sauternes? Maybe you’ve written off this sweet classic as the culprit behind your holiday hangover… or , just an obligatory pairing with foie gras, Roquefort or dessert. Think again.