These are the top 5 most expensive wines in the world
Wine is available in price categories ranging from just a few euros to a seven-figure investment. But does more always mean better? For wine investors who do not want to consume their fine bottles anyway, this “question of taste” is less relevant. Of course, fine wine would also be a treat for six-figure amounts. But the origin, vintage, rarity, provenance and history of the fine wines are much more important. Find out which sinfully expensive wines are currently leading the world rankings and how investors can benefit from Fine Wine as a portfolio component.
What makes fine wine so precious?
Die Wine prices can vary significantly and depend on various factors such as vintage, origin, grape variety and storage. However, a bottle usually only becomes an attractive investment when it is old, steeped in history and almost impossible to obtain. Since the wine market is constantly changing and the price comparison between whole boxes, rare 6-liter bottles and 0.75 liter bottlings is not entirely fair, the following list of the world's most expensive wines is more of a guideline.
The top 5 most expensive wines
- The Setting Wines Glass Slipper Vineyard 2019, 840,000 euros
In November 2021, entrepreneur Don Steiner paid at a charity auction for a 6-liter bottle of a cabernet from The Setting Wines One million dollars from Napa Valley - world record. This was a Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the best locations in the Napa Valley, of which only 900 standard bottles and the only 6-liter bottle in question exist. The winemaker responsible is Jesse Katz from California, who founded The Setting Wines in 2014 together with two friends and is competing with long-established neighbors with the young winery.
- Romanée-Conti 1945, 489,000 euros
It's no surprise that a Romanée-Conti wine It is at the top of the list of the most expensive bottles ever sold. Because the top château from Bordeaux consistently produces some of the most expensive wines in the world. This single bottle from 1945 had an estimated value of just 33,000 dollars at a Sotheby's auction in 2018 - but ultimately brought in 558,000 dollars (489,000 euros). But why is wine so valuable? On the one hand because of the legendary location, and on the other hand, the vintage was special. Because the vineyard on which the vines grew was completely replanted in the following year 1946. 1945 was therefore the last opportunity to enjoy the old vines.
- Screaming Eagle Cabernet 1992, 463,000 euros
1992 was the debut of Screaming Eagle Winery, which has now achieved cult status. The Cabernet Sauvignon in question immediately scored a fantastic 99 points with renowned wine critic Robert Parker, was only produced in a very small edition and bottled in six-liter bottles in an even smaller edition. At a benefit event in 2000, the Cabernet won the sensational price of around 500,000 dollars.
- The Setting Wine Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, 324,000 euros
Another fine wine from The Setting's young winemakers made it into the top 5: Caberet Sauvignon in 2015, which was less than ten years old. The high prize was due on the one hand to the reputation of winemaker prodigy Jesse Katz and on the other hand to the cooperation with the well-known Hollywood agent Shep Gordon, who was involved in the production. He signed the bottle and donated it to a charity event in 2017. There, a private wine collector bought the Cabernet for a proud 350,000 dollars.
- Château Mouton-Rothschild 1945, 288,000 euros
The story of world-famous wineries can be traced back to the 14th century. The wine, whose “V” on the label symbolizes the Allied victory in the Second World War, is considered one of the best vintages of the past 100 years - and is also a historical symbol supplemented by the addition “Année de la Victoire” (“Year of Victory”). At an auction in Los Angeles, a 3-liter bottle of Château Mouton-Rothschild in 1945 “V” finally fetched 310,700 dollars.
By the way, what is possibly the most expensive wine in the world is still looking for an owner: At the beginning of May 2021, there was New York auction house Christie's selling a very special Château Pétrus known at an estimated price of one million dollars. This astronomical sum justifies the same story of wine: For around a year, the Grand Cru floated in space as part of a research project on the International Space Station ISS. During the subsequent tasting back on Earth, the scientists discovered that the wine had developed a different color, aroma, and flavor than its terrestrial counterpart. Three of the bottles were used for tasting, eight bottles are kept for further laboratory testing. The twelfth and last bottle is available for private sale at Christie's auction house.
Investing in Fine Wine
By the way, cheaper, so-called “high-percentage” investment, are also suitable “Investment Grade Wines”, which can offer interesting return prospects. Especially as the price of the remaining bottles rises with every fine wine drunk - which often also gain in quality and value as they mature. By the way, private investors who do not want to deal with wine as a science, the necessary storage and taxation are digital fine-wine shares good advice that can enrich any portfolio starting at just 500 euros.
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