The most expensive wine bottle ever sold was broken in 2018 by a single bottle. The bottle in question was a 1945 Romanée-Conti, a highly sought-after vintage from France’s Burgundy. It broke the previous record for the most expensive wine ever paid for at auction ($233,000 for a bottle of 1869 Château Lafite Rothschild) and was sold by Sotheby’s in New York for a stunning $558,000. What then makes this wine so unique?
First, some background information on Romanée-Conti. It is made in extremely small amounts from a little vineyard in the Burgundy region, and is regarded as one of the finest and most rare wines in the world. Due to its scarcity and the fact that it was produced during World War II, when many vineyards were burned or damaged, the 1945 vintage is extremely coveted. In 1945, just 600 bottles of Romanée-Conti were made, making them great collectibles.
The 1945 Romanée-Conti is believed to be a remarkable wine in and of itself, despite its scarcity. Its richness, balance, and longevity are praised by wine experts and lovers. The wine is created from Pinot Noir grapes that have spent many years aging in French oak barrels after being harvested from vines that are up to 80 years old. In relation to French oak…
What alters wine in French oak? The wine industry highly values French oak barrels for their capacity to provide wine rich flavors and smells. Due to the wood’s tight grain, which is well recognized, tannins and other compounds can be released into the wine over a long period of time. As a result, the final product may contain notes of vanilla, toast, spice, or even coconut. The gradual and steady oxidation process that French oak can encourage can help soften astringent tannins and produce a wine that is smoother and more balanced.
Of all, using French wood is only one component that might affect a wine’s flavor and quality. Additionally, the types of grapes used, the soil, the temperature, and winemaking methods all have an impact. However, every detail counts when it comes to a wine as rare and sought-after as Romanée-Conti. And the 1945 model turned out to be worth more than $500,000 to one fortunate (and wealthy) collector.