Yquem

by Richard Olney, Pierre Rival, Christian Sarramon (Photographer)

The mere mention of Château d’Yquem and its signature sweet white wine evokes an image of unparalleled luxury, distinction, and enduring excellence. It embodies the luminous golden essence of the finest and rarest of wines. This legendary appellation is the result of centuries of painstaking cultivation of the vines, a unique vinification process, and the exceptional site, soil, and micro-climate, combined with the notorious "noble rot" to create this peerless nectar. The wine’s long history of distinction dates back to the 1700s when Thomas Jefferson brought home more than 250 bottles to share with George Washington. Yquem has recently undergone a renaissance: the château and its gardens have been restored, and its status as the world’s greatest white wine has never been stronger. The rare nature of this fine wine, and its exceptional characteristic flavor, are honored in this fully updated volume.

Genres: Wine

168 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Richard Olney was an American painter, cook, food writer, editor, and memoirist, best known for known for his books of French country cooking.

Olney lived in a house above the village of Solliès-Toucas in Provence, France, for most of his adult life, where he wrote many classic and influential cookbooks of French country cooking. He had first moved to France in 1951, to Paris, where he was close friends with (and painted many of) the American and English bohemian expatriate set, including James Baldwin, filmmaker Kenneth Anger, painter John Craxton, poet John Ashbery, and composer Ned Rorem.

He was also friends with Elizabeth David.