Wine-making is probably one of the simplest techniques that will generate a great result. Yet, wine is treated as one of the most sophisticated and classy alcoholic beverages in the world. Wine defines class and standard, arguably in the best way when compared to all the other drinks available in the market.
A bottle of wine screams wealth and standard. It has been treated as a drink of the upper class since the very first time it was made. That trend continues. There are some, that are expensive because of their rarity.
However, most of the wines, that are stupendously expensive, are because of the fact that their demand is severely high, with the supply being very limited.
Here in this list is a collection of the most expensive wines around the world that one can, provided they are lucky, lay hands on.
Most Expensive Wines That Scream “Class!”
Table of Contents
10. Cheval Blanc St.-Emilion 1947 – $135,125
The tenth on this list, and yet so much to praise. The Cheval Blanc is a vintage wine that has earned the status of being world-class. Saint Emilion classified their wines into class status. The Cheval Blanc was only the second and last wine that they gave the Class A status.
The Cheval Blanc hits all the right notes that can rule in as one of the most luxurious wines available. Only 110,000 of these bottles were produced to retain the exclusivity. The seducing flavor and the silky texture, make it a great expensive wine choice!
9. Henri Jayer, Vosne-Romanee Cros Parantoux 1999 – $136,955
Quite a noteworthy name, isn’t it? Well, the same goes for the ridiculously expensive price tag that it carries along with itself. The Henri Jayer is one of the most sought-after wines in the entire world because it is available in bulk, with just a single person.
Henri Jayer also has quite a history associated with it. If stories are to be believed, then Cros Parantoux’s entire casket was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong wine sale. With great taste and flavor, Cros Parantoux deserves to be one of the most expensive wines to date.
8. Chateau Lafite 1787- $156,450
One of the best wines available out there, the Chateau Lafite is more of a collector’s item. One would appreciate preserving it, rather than consuming it. The Chateau Lafite 1787 has quite an extraordinary history associated with it.
Dubbed as the most expensive standard bottle of wine in the world, the Chateau Lafite 1787 is believed to have been extracted from Thomas Jefferson’s cellar as it has the initials Thj engraved in it. Later on, it was purchased by Malcolm Forbes in 1985, making it one of the most expensive wines to date.
7. Ampoule from Penfolds – $168,000
They say that presentation is the key at times. Well, that is definitely the case with Ampoule.
Of the finest and most eloquently presented wines in the world, Ampoule is a perfect representation of the brand’s prestige, experience, and heritage.
Brought to the world by South Australia’s renowned winemaker Penfolds, the wine does not have a history as such to boast about. However, tasting the wine is an experience in itself. To taste their wine, one has to first break off a small piece of wood!
All of these things put together, make it worthy of being one of the most expensive wines in the world.
6. Chateau Margaux 1787 – $225,000
Tragedy. This wine is the symbol of tragedy and rightly so. One of the most anticipated wines of all time, the Chateau Margaux is that bottle of wine, that cannot be accessed by anybody anymore merely because of the fact that it does not exist anymore!
Another of the bottles extracted from Jefferson’s collection, the Margaux was dropped by a waiter during a Margaux dinner in a Four Season Hotel. The original value was estimated to be around $500,000. However, the insurers paid only $225,000 which lowered its value. Still, at $225,000 it remains one of the most expensive wines.
5. Chateau Lafite 1869 – $230,000
The Chateau Lafite 1869, became a source of controversy and also caused quite a stir when it hit the auctions. A highly valued wine, the Lafite 1869, is as brilliant in taste as it is in smell and price. Auctioneers there, estimated its price to reach up to a modest $8000. However, to everyone’s surprise, it went as high as $230,000.
The 5th most expensive wine is believed to be very rare in Asia. Hence the Asian bidders fought a great deal, finally, before one of the bidders made the bid and got his hands on this antique. Quite deserves to be on this list.
4. Shipwrecked 1907 Heidsieck – $275,000
Ridiculously expensive right? Well, rightly so. As much as it belongs to the rich, the wine’s got a rich history too. Just to drop a hint, there’s a special reason why it is known as the Shipwrecked 1907.
The story follows that in 1916, a ship carrying the wine was blasted by a German Submarine, in the year 1916. It sank to the bottom of the sea, and remind in that state for over 80 years! The wreckage was discovered in the year 1997 and 2000 bottles were recovered. The rarity of Shipwrecked 1907 Heidsieck is what makes it one of the most expensive wines of all time.
3. Jeroboam of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945 – $310,000
Well, all of us know who Rothschild is, right? So, what else would one expect from a wine originating from their vineyards, other than it being on this list in the top 3 spots?
With the symbol on the bottle, Rothschild went the extra mile. They represented the victory of the Allied forces in the Second World War. Quite a spectacle, isn’t it? Well, the wine is said to be one of the best vintages of the last 100 years, a glass of which is going to cost $8,631! No wonder it is 3rd on the list of the most expensive wines!
2. Screaming Eagle Cabernet 1992 – $500,000
Take a look at that price. $500,000, for the second most expensive wine in the world! That is more than what an average house would cost! Extravagance at its heights is what Screaming Eagle Cabernet is.
Over the years, many people had their eyes set on this piece of luxury. However, not many could lay their hands on it. Finally, in the year 2000, this was sold in a charity auction. What makes it special is that it is aged in 60% new oak and has an aroma of blackcurrants, a subtle trace of oak, and an opaque purple appearance.
1. 1945 Romanee-Conti Wine – $558,000
It’s a 750 ml bottle of Burgandy. And yet, it bids at a price of $558,000. Shocking right? Well, that’s why drinks have become a measure of luxury too. One can go the extra mile at times, just to lay their hands on these phenomenal bottles and their contents. The 8th most expensive alcohol in the world, however, has reasons that justify its tag.
The nectar comes up from the serene town of Vosne-Romanée, famous for its exquisite vineyards. Furthermore, a unicorn vintage is attached to the Romanée-Conti unobtainable wine. Lastly, the sheer demand outweighs the limited supply of 600, making it a very highly valued drink.
Summary- The Most Expensive Wines
In this list of the most expensive wines in the world, we not only went through the various valuable collector’s items that one would love to possess but also interesting histories, associated with them. Wines have been the source of extravagance for a long time now, and with the way the world is progressing, it is difficult for that trend to stop.
Some FAQs about The Most Expensive Wines In The World
1. Which is the most popular wine in the world?
Apart from the most expensive wines, the most popular wine is the Cabernet Sauvignon.
2. Which country is the most famous for wine?
Italy is the most famous country for wine, in the world.
3. What type of wine is the most expensive?
The most expensive kind of wine in the world is made from the very common wine grapes.
4. What makes wine expensive?
The three major traits of making a wine expensive are oak, time, and terroir.
Some Fun Facts about Expensive Wines That You Wouldn’t Wanna Miss
1. Grapes are the most planted fruit all over the world.
2. A ton of grapes can be produced into 720 bottles of wine.
3. Apparently, some people have a “fear of wine,” and it’s called oenophobia.
4. During the early Roman times, it was forbidden for women to drink wine. Wives who were caught by their husbands drinking wine could be killed if caught in the act.
