Domain: Château d'Yquem

Deemed the world's greatest white wine, Château d'Yquem is located on a small hill and benefits from an exceptional micro-climate and terroir. The vineyard encompasses no fewer than 150 plots of different soil, and is pampered throughout the year, with each individual vine undergoing an average of 50 different annual treatments. The selection process in Yquem is particularly stringent, with a local saying holding that a single vine makes a single glass of wine. Harvesting involves a minimum of four different passes (seven in 1997!) in order to ensure the grapes harvested have reached perfect maturity and have been affected by noble rot. Note that the estate also produces a dry white called Y d'Yquem from grapes that are free from noble rot.In some years, the entire harvest is de-classified (no Yquem production in 1910, 1915, 1930, 1951, 1952, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1992). The wine is aged for up to 42 months in new barrels. For more information, visit the Château d'Yquem website.