Pourriture noble : révolution dans les vins de Bordeaux (French edition) by William Echikson | Grasset

Noble Rot: Revolution in Bordeaux Wines, written by William Echikson, is a captivating work for all wine enthusiasts. This book focuses on a pivotal period in the history of Bordeaux wines, where tradition meets innovation.

For centuries, prestigious châteaux such as Yquem, Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Saint-Emilion, and Pomerol have dominated the wine world, perpetuating ancestral production methods that have forged the reputation of Bordeaux wines. However, over the past two decades, this hegemony has been challenged by the emergence of new winegrowers, often nicknamed "garagistes".

These garagiste winegrowers bring a breath of modernity by introducing new fermentation and production techniques, thus disrupting established norms. Although their wines are sometimes produced under modest conditions, they are no less of exceptional quality, rivaling the region's greatest crus in both taste and price.

William Echikson's book takes us behind the scenes of this revolution. It immerses us in the daily lives of these newcomers who boldly and innovatively challenge traditions, as well as that of the noble owners of the great châteaux, who strive to preserve their heritage while facing increasingly fierce competition.

A real battle is being played out from one bank of the Gironde to the other. It's not just the wine production at stake, but the very identity of the Bordeaux region, its industry, its culture, and its society. This struggle symbolizes the confrontation between two worlds: that of traditional methods rooted in the past, and that of new technologies inspired by innovations from California, Spain, Australia, and elsewhere.

The title, "Noble Rot", refers to a well-known phenomenon among wine lovers, this precious mold that transforms white grapes from Sauternes into divine nectar. But for Echikson, "noble rot" also becomes the symbol of this radical transformation, where the old and the new coexist, sometimes explosively.

This book is a must-read for those interested not only in wine but also in the economic and cultural evolutions shaping today's great wines. It offers a rich and nuanced analysis of the challenges faced by the Bordeaux wine industry.

Additional Characteristics:

• Title: Noble Rot: Revolution in Bordeaux Wines
• Author: William Echikson
• Publisher: Grasset
• Publication Date: 24/08/2005
• Collection: Foreign Literature
• Number of Pages: 432
• Dimensions: 23 x 14 cm
• Weight: 471 g
• Language: French
• EAN13: 9782246675013
• ISBN: 978-2-246-67501-3