The Prince of Romanée-Conti

Book excerpt: With exclusive insight from the owners of the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, this monograph traces the fascinating history of their prestigious Burgundy vineyards and rare wines. Romanée-Conti, the world's finest and rarest pinot noir Grand Cru, hails from the gently sloped vineyards of Burgundy's Côtes de Nuits. The story of this unique vineyard dates back some 1500 years and is inextricably tied to its UNESCO world heritage Climat (the ideal position and soil conditions that grace its location) combined with annual weather conditions. Together, they significantly define the character of a given vintage. The saga of successive vintages recounted here--and illuminated through co-owner Aubert de Villaine's detailed harvest reports since 1996--bears witness to the vigilance and thoughtful decision-making throughout the growing cycle and harvest season that is necessary to ensure that the vines produce the finest grapes. This engaging monograph traces the history of winemaking on the site and pays homage to the colorful Prince de Conti who added--in addition to his name--fame and prestige to the wine's already celebrated reputation. This volume offers new insight into this exceptional, cult wine.