Château d'Yquem, coined the nectar of the gods, is a wine from the Sauternes, Gironde region in the southern part of Bordeaux in France. Raised to the ranks of Premier Cru Supérieur classification for Sauternes in 1855, it is the only sweet white wine of such prestige. Part of Château d'Yquem’s excellence is attributed to its ancestral winemaking knowledge, with a history dating back to 1593, partnered with its unique microclimate and exceptional terroir.
What makes Château d'Yquem special?
Château d’Yquem's success can be largely attributed to its site's susceptibility to the "noble rot" (a type of fungus called Botrytis cinerea). Wines from Château d'Yquem are characterised by their complexity, concentration and sweetness, which is balanced by relatively high acidity. If the quality is not to a standard in a certain year, the château doesn’t release a vintage under its label; there were nine vintages skipped during the 20th century.
How long can a bottle of Château d'Yquem last?
With proper care, a bottle of Château d'Yquem will keep for a century or more, and the fruity overtones will gradually fade and integrate with more complex secondary and tertiary flavours. In 1996, a bottle of Château d'Yquem was given a perfect 100-point score by Robert Parker.
What kind of wine is Château d'Yquem?
The Château d'Yquem signature Sauternes is made from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, with grapes generally heavily affected by noble rot which reduces the grape juice to a an incredibly concentrated, nectar.
Since 1959 (though not every year), Château d'Yquem has also produced a dry white wine called Ygrec, made from an equal blend of Sémillon and Sauvignon blanc.
What is the most expensive bottle of white wine?
In 2011, a 200-year-old bottle of 1811 Château d'Yquem sold for approx. $130,000 (£75,000) setting a Guinness World Record for the world’s most valuable white wine.
Discover, arguably, the world’s most prestigious white wine on The Wine Collective.
