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yquem

More than four centuries of history are summed up in the words "Château d'Yquem Lur-Saluces" found on every bottle of Yquem. Wine lovers from around the world who come to visit the estate often ask about the secret of this great whine. My initial, slightly provocative reply is that there can be no answer, that the truth is shrouded in mystery, and that we are dealing with one of nature's enigmas. However, there are several logical explanations to offer. One of them is undoubtedly the winemaking passion shared by the family who owned the château for twelve generations. Another is the unique terroir and carefully matched premium grape varieties. Furthermore, Château d'Yquem's time-honoured vineyard management and winemaking practices have an important role to play. Last, nut not least, there is an amazing alchemy brought about by Botrytis cinerea, the remarkable fungus that, here in Sauternes - and here alone - paradoxically transforms decay into gold. Above and beyond these reasons, Château d'Yquem must actuallybe smelled, tasted, and appreciated to understand its magic. In doingso, one realises that this wine is - and will always remain - a mistery.
Perhaps this is the best way of summing up the spirit of d'Yquem...
Count Alexandre de Lur Saluces