Cérons, historic (see bordeaux, history) but struggling sweet white wine appellation on the left bank of the River garonne. Just north of barsac and sauternes, it produces wines which rarely demonstrate either the finesse of the first or the concentration of the second of these two more famous appellations, possibly partly because much more generous yields are allowed, but also because selling prices make sacrifices for quality difficult. In effect, Cérons is a buffer zone between Barsac and the graves, and its dry whites and reds are entitled to the Graves appellation. Clay is slightly more common here than in Barsac and Sauternes and the generally flatter land may also play a part in reducing the likelihood of botrytis. Less than 40 ha produced sweet whites in the early 2010s.
