The 3 Most Expensive Bottles of Wine
If you are a regular wine drinker by now you have probably noticed the huge difference in pricing when it comes to wine. An average red bottle of wine will cost you $15.66 USD while an average white bottle of wine $14.41 USD but there are wines on the marketplace that go for a lot more than that.
There are many factors why some wines are so highly-priced which include transport, custom fees, the law of supply and demand, the history of the wine yard, winemaking techniques, quality of the grapes, etc.
The most important factor that drives the price up is the limited ingredients used in the wine and the growing conditions of the grapes. Because wine collectors and wine drinkers prefer certain styles and years of wine. The more wanted styles and the more wanted years are always impossible to find and outrageously priced.
A bottle of 4.0 Champagne is one of the most wanted wines currently on the market, it usually goes for $50.46 USD, on the other hand, California Sparkling goes for 31.73 USD they both have similar quality and similarly ratings but the prices do differ because the 4.0 Champagne is more wanted than the California Sparkling.
To get a bottle of these wines you need to join special membership-based sites, waiting lists, or wine clubs and wait for the right time to purchase them. For most of us, these prices are outrageous and definitely unaffordable.But we can always join the best wine club we can find within our budget and enjoy our wine without going broke.
This article will list the 3 most expensive bottles of wine currently on the market and some affordable alternatives for those who do not want to break the bank.
1.Domaine de La Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti Grand Cru
Believe it or not one bottle of Romanée-Conti Grand Cru will cost you $28,243 USD. It is made in one of the finest wineries in Bourgogne, France. called Domaine de La Romanée-Conti. Domaine de la Romanée Conti Romanée Conti Grand Cru is categorised as biodynamic red wine made from Pinot Noir grapes aged in wooded barrels. Comes from an exceptional plot where the maturation is exemplary with extremely low yields. The harvest is done manually and the grapes are gently crushed and then macerated with their skins at a controlled temperature.
The fermentation process takes place in wooden barrels and the wine matures for 12 months in new French oak barrels acquired 3 years before and dried by the house cooper.
This gives the wine smooth with a silky texture. It has vibrant acidity and complex aromas of berries, floral notes of violets, exotic spicy touches, and a hint of dark chocolate. It has an average alcohol percentage of 13.50%.
The Domaine de La Romanée-ContiRomanée-Conti Grand Cru can excited any wine drinker out there. Critics have scored it as one of the top 5 French wines. It is very rare and nearly impossible to find. A good alternative option is the Mount Difficulty Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2014 which cost only $42 USD.
2. Château Cheval Blanc, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (Premier Grand Cru Classé)
Another very highly-priced French wine is Saint-Émilion Grand Cru with a price of $28,000 USD. Saint-Émilion Grand Cru wines are produced in Bordeaux, France in the Château Cheval Blanc.
The wines are produced under slightly tighter production restrictions than the rest of Saint-Émilion wines which improves the quality.
The wine is made from Merlot grapes which makes it complex with silk and velvety texture. The wine is incredibly rich but it does not taste heavy.
The taste profile of Château Cheval Blanc Saint-Émilion Grand Cru includes a powerful bouquet of oaky notes such as tobacco, oak, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, spiced plum, black fruits, blackberries, blackcurrants, and black cherries. It has a ruby deep color with velvet-rich tannins.
Chateau Cheval Blanc wines are usually better with at least 12-15 years of bottle age. Saint-Émilion Grand Cru has won many Wine Style Awards and featured in many wine magazines. Good affordable alternatives are Château Rocher Gardat $35.99 USD and L’Épiphanie de Saint- Émilion $44.99 USD.
3. Henri Jayer, Échézeaux Grand Cru
With a slightly lower price of $14,999 USD in third place comes Échézeaux Grand Cru. A Burgundy Côte de Nuits Red made from Pinot Noir grapes from Bourgogne, France.
The Pinot Noir grapes are harvested at optimal maturity levels with no dependence on chemicals to maximize the wine’s quality.
The Échézeaux Grand Cru wines are a rich medium ruby color with medium-bodied silky tannins.
They have medium acidity and leave a long jammy plum finish. The dominating aromas include earthy notes of leather, mushroom, roasted meats, truffles, and fruity notes like red cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and pomegranate.
Henri Jayer wines are very liked by wine sommeliers and advanced wine drinkers. Critics have rated it one of the best available among Flagey-Echezeaux wines with a score of 95 by The Wine Advocate.
The Henri Jayer, Échézeaux Grand Cru wines are truly an investment if you are able to find them. If you are looking for a good alternative option, then Bodegas Avancia Mencia $36 is a great way to go.