VertdeVin Wine Magazine

Welcome to this new edition of Vertdevin Magazine, issue 30. It is a pleasure to present a publication that casts a wide light on an extensive panorama of vineyards, styles and vintages. For this issue, we travelled across many of the world's wine regions in order to offer a rich and engaging read, punctuated by discoveries, confirmations and, at times, delightful surprises. The opening section brings together several articles covering a broad range of subjects. You will journey through Georgia, Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Champagne, Tuscany, Umbria, Romagna and Crete, and even Japan with its remarkable saké. A dedicated feature on the legendary Château d'Yquem explores its history, its wines and a series of food and wine pairing suggestions. To round off this gourmand segment, we introduce twelve olive oils from the…

JONATHAN CHOUKROUN CHICHEPORTICHE Jonathan is a French journalist, wine & spirits critic and editor. He began his career working for other wine media (paper and digital) as well as wineries (Bordeaux, USA). Passionate, curious and epicurean, he chose in 2010 to create Vertdevin in order to highlight all the beauty and diversity of wines & spirits, always with high standards in the work. JOANIE METIVIER Sommelier, Wine writer, Whisky ambassador, her official title is a little vague and her path rather atypical. Her studies are ongoing and will probably ever be. She may be the youngest Wine writer in Quebec, but her adventures are rich and esteemed. joaniemetivier.com Instagram: @joaniemetivier VALERIA TENISON Valeria Tenison is a MW student, skilled sommelier and wine writer with a passion for sharing her knowledge and…

For more than four centuries, Château d'Yquem has embodied the emblematic jewel of Sauternes and one of the greatest legends of French wine. Classified Premier Cru Supérieur in 1855, it has built its reputation on absolute precision, remarkable stylistic consistency and a unique ability to unite richness with purity. Heir to a history stretching back to the sixteenth century, Yquem has always managed to combine vision, innovation and profound respect for an exceptional terroir. Notably, it was Joséphine d'Yquem who, in 1766, first formalised the practice of successive tries for late-harvest picking. Its origins trace back to the family of the Dukes of Aquitaine, before the estate passed to the Sauvage family in the sixteenth century, then by marriage to the Lur Saluces lineage in 1785. In 1999, the château entered…

Serving Château d'Yquem at the table remains one of the most delicate exercises in gastronomy, and undoubtedly one of the most memorable for many of us. Although renowned as a dessert wine, this celebrated Premier Cru Classé Supérieur of Sauternes engages naturally with substance, texture, balance and aromatic depth. What follows is an account of a series of pairings tried, tasted and approved at the château itself. As we are in 2025, we turn to vintages ending in five: one now twenty years old, the other approaching forty. Two vintages, two personalities, two ways of accompanying a meal. Château d'Yquem 2005 is a sunny, ample vintage. Its generous sweetness is carried by a fine, clear acidity. The nobility of the botrytis expresses aromas of candied citrus zest, saffron, roasted yellow peach,…

This Sauternes estate holds a special place in the appellation's history. Its owners have made significant contributions to mastering the art of cultivating noble rot, Botrytis cinerea, essential for creating these exceptional sweet wines, as well as to passing on winemaking expertise. Contribution to the Renown of Sauternes Wines Frederick Focke, who owned the château in the 19th century, knew very well the botrytized sweet wines of Germany and Hungary. Between 1820 and 1855, he studied the behavior of Botrytis in Sauternes, on Riesling and local grape varieties, and determined that Sémillon has the best symbiosis with the noble expression of the fungus. Thanks to his work, La Tour Blanche was classified as a Premier Grand Cru of Sauternes, just after Château d'Yquem, the only Premier Grand Cru Supérieur. In 1876,…

In a world dominated by Pinot Noir reds often compared to Bourgogne, there is in France, within the Champagne region, a true gem: a rare wine with a strong identity, deeply rooted in history. If you are looking for a place to escape and immerse yourself in history, Les Riceys, about 150 km from Reims, is the perfect destination. The area captivates with its scenic richness - from the rural charm of its villages to the surrounding hills covered with forests and vineyards, with slopes reaching up to 35%. Les Riceys comprises three historic villages - Ricey-Bas, Ricey-Haute-Rive, and Ricey-Haut - each with its own church, united into a single commune in 1790. With over 800 hectares of vineyards, it represents the largest vineyard area of any commune in Champagne, with…