Yquem is the world’s greatest sweet wine and the only Bordeaux wine to receive the specific mention as Premier Cru Classé Supérieur (or Superior First Growth). Yquem is located on the highest hill in Sauternes and enjoys the best growing conditions in the whole appellation. The 110-hectare vineyard is planted with 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The Sémillon grape is perfectly suited to the particular climatic conditions and soil composition of the Sauternes region. It makes for a rich, unctuous and structured wine, while the Sauvignon grape, which ripens earlier, imparts a powerful scent and an incomparable finesse. Yields are very low. Indeed, at Yquem it is said that a single vine plant produces a single glass of its nectar.That along with the hazards of the weather and the difficulties inherent in the making of sweet wine make for the rarity of the wine. The average production of Yquem is between 100 000 and 110 000 bottles per year.