Question 1

What is considered fine wine?

Accepted Answer

While there’s no official definition, fine wines are broadly speaking those that come from the best vineyards and are made with the highest degree of care and attention. As a result, these wines will have greater balance and more complex, nuanced flavours – and will often have the potential to age gracefully. They are usually made in limited quantities, and often have rarity value, too.

Classic fine wine regions

Mention fine wine and most people probably think of well-established classics like and Bordeaux and Burgundy in France, Rioja and Priorat in Spain, or Piedmont in Italy. These have (for the most part) well-established classification systems – which makes it easier to tell when they fall into the fine wine category. In Bordeaux for example, a wine classified simply as Bordeaux AOC would be unlikely to be classed as fine wine. A Médoc AOC on the other hand (from a more limited region on Bordeaux’s Left Bank) is certainly approaching fine wine territory. Step up to Pauillac or Margaux (the top regions in the Médoc) and few would argue that we’re talking fine wine. And then you have the top wines of those regions – culminating in First Growths, or Premier Cru. These are among the finest wines in the world. You’ll find similar classification systems in many of the well-established classic wine regions throughout Europe – and in general, the finer wines, like Chianti Classico, come from the heart of the more generic wine regions. Other regions, like Rioja, classify their wines according to how long they are aged. Cult and iconic fine wine regions However, many fine wines come from regions that don’t have a clearly defined quality structure – especially those from the southern Hemisphere. Examples include the Barossa Valley in Australia, Stellenbosch in South Africa, and Napa Valley in the United States. Wines from these regions have to establish their own fine wine credentials. They are often known as iconic, or cult wines. Examples include Penfolds Grange, from Barossa, Australia, Cloudy Bay from Marlborough, New Zealand, and Stags’ Leap from Napa, USA. Discover a world of fine wine This is just a tiny snapshot of the amazing world of fine wine that is out there for you to discover. For red wine lovers there are hidden treasures like Priorat in northern Spain, or the graceful Pinot Noirs of New Zealand’s Central Otago region. White wine fans can look beyond Burgundy to Russian River Chardonnays (from the US) or the ultra-fine Rieslings of the Rheinhessen. And for dessert wines, look beyond Sauternes to the exquisite sweet wines of Tokaji in Hungary. There’s so much to explore.

Question 2

How much do fine wines cost?

Accepted Answer

The great news is that fine wines don’t have to cost the earth. Sure, a First Growth Bordeaux is beyond the budget of most – excepting rock stars and hedge-fund managers. But a well-cellared Cru Bourgeois from one of the Médoc’s sub regions – Saint-Estèphe say – will give you a very similar experience – and change from £50. And the same is true for most iconic fine wines. The RedHeads cellar, for example, produces Trophy-winning wines from South Australia’s top vineyard sites for a fraction of the cost of the big names like Penfolds and Henschke. Take a look at our fine wine selection above and you’ll be sure to find something that will seriously impress – without breaking the bank.

Question 3

Is fine wine a good investment?

Accepted Answer

Wine certainly can be a good investment financially – but you need to be careful how you go about it. We’d certainly advise speaking to a specialist.

We prefer to see fine wine as an investment in taste. Lay down the right bottles for a few years and you’ll have a collection that will more than repay your patience – and a drinking experience like no other.

Question 4

What is the most expensive fine wine?

Accepted Answer

Ever wondered what is the most expensive wine ever sold? And was it worth it?

There’s no question that if you spend a little more on a bottle of wine, you’ll enjoy better quality. It makes sense when you think about it. You see, the cost of packaging, transport and duty stay the same whatever the price. So, when you spend a few more pounds on a bottle, more of your money goes into the wine – rather than on things you can’t taste.

But is there an upper limit to how much the quality improves? We can’t say for sure.

Here are some of the most expensive bottles ever sold:

Hallowed Burgundy

As far as we’re aware, the most expensive single bottle ever sold was a bottle of Domaine Romanée Conti 1945 – a top-flight Burgundy from a standout vintage that went for £486,642. Only 600 bottles were made – making this an extremely rare as well as sought-after wine.

Legendary Bordeaux

The 1947 Château Cheval Blanc is often cited as the most expensive wine ever sold. Confusingly, given the name (meaning Château of the White Horse) this a red Bordeaux, from Saint Emilion. In 2010, a single bottle was sold for £192,000.

Shipwrecked!

During WW1, a German submarine sank a ship containing 2,000 bottles of Heidsieck 1907 Vintage Champagne. The bottles were recovered in 1998 – and one of these later sold for an eye-watering £225,000. Still, it would have made a great talking point at the dinner table!

Were they worth it?

While it’s true that the more you spend on a bottle the more goes on the liquid, there are limits. We’ve no doubt these wines were sublime. But their price is partly due to collectors’ value as well as quality. Or in the case of the Heidsieck Champagne – an extraordinary story.

Our view? We certainly advocate spending a little more to get the best value. But in the words of one of our favourite Aussie winemakers, Andrew McPherson, “the best wine is the wine you like!”

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