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💰 The Most Expensive Wines Ever Sold

💰 The Most Expensive Wines Ever Sold

In this week’s DECORKED digest you will read all about the world’s most expensive wines, vineyards in volcanic soils, the climate crisis, how to pair wine with real estate, the industry’s update from China, and much more. Keep reading!

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Happy Sunday! We hope you had a great week. In this week’s DECORKED digest, you will read all about the world’s most expensive wines, vineyards in volcanic soils, the climate crisis, how to pair wine with real estate, the industry’s update from China, and much more. Keep reading!

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INTERESTING THIS WEEK

🍾 LVMH sees aspirational consumers pulling back on luxury amid inflation READ HERE

📝 The road to net zero – the emissions targets of the world’s drinks giants READ HERE

🇮🇹 Marco Felluga, white wine visionary in Italy’s Friuli, dies at 96 READ HERE

📈 French winemaker helps Xinjiang wine gain worldwide acclaim READ HERE

🍷 Can a brewery make good wine? These beer makers say yes READ HERE

🍇 Climate crisis brings boom time for British wine READ HERE

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We curate, filter, and select only the most exciting and important news for you.

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CHINA WINE CATCHES UP TO HISTORY

China might seem a recent addition to the world's wine regions, but its wine history stretches back millennia. The country has a long history of winemaking dating back to 7000 BCE, with evidence found in the Jiahu settlement. The modern era began in 1892 with Changyu's establishment, importing grape varieties from Europe. Economic reforms in the 1980s and 1990s boosted the industry, attracting global players. Key producers emerged in the late 1990s, like Grace Vineyard. Today, winemakers like Luo Yuchen are reviving ancient practices, collaborating with historic wineries to create wines honoring China's heritage.

NATURAL WINES CAN BE CLEAN

A recent study challenges the belief that all natural wines are inherently flawed, revealing that while 45% of those tested showed off odors, the remaining 55% displayed positive attributes. Conducted with Spanish and French winemakers, the research suggests that producing "clean" wines via natural winemaking methods is feasible. The study underscores the need for nuanced discussions about natural wines, recognizing their diversity and potential for high quality

THE 15 MOST EXPENSIVE WINES EVER SOLD

After combing the archives of the world's most prestigious fine wine auction houses—from Acker to Bonhams to Christie’s to Sotheby’s to Wally’s to Zachys to Hart to Davis and back to Hart—here is the list of the most expensive wines ever sold.

15. Automatic DQ, Fraud Edition: Thomas Jefferson’s 1787 Lafite, Sold for $156,450

14. Automatic DQ, Tax Break Edition: The Setting Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Glass Slipper 2019, Sold for $1,000,000 (6-liter bottle)

13. The Sticker Shock Award: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti 2021, release price of $10,213

12. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 1990, Sold for $179,250 (9-liter case)

11. Domaine d’Auvenay Chevalier-Montrachet 2007, Sold for $240,412 (9-liter case)

10. Domaine Leflaive Montrachet 2010, Sold for $43,575 (1.5-liter bottle)

9. Domaine Leroy 1991, Sold for $460,650 (9-liter case)

8. Château Cheval-Blanc 1947, sold for $304,375 (6-liter bottle)

7. Château Mouton-Rothschild 1945, Sold for $310,700 (4.5-liter bottle)

6. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 1943, Sold for $68,200

5. Henri Jayer Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux 1978, Sold for $144,893 (1.5-liter bottle)

4. Château d’Yquem 1847, Sold for $71,675

3. Château d'Yquem 1811, Sold for $120,000

2. Château Lafite 1869, Sold for $233,972

1. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 1945, Sold for $558,000 and $496,000

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THE INGENIOUS WINES BIRTHED FROM BLACK VOLCANIC CRATERS

In Lanzarote Island, Spain, vineyards thrive amidst conical hollows carved into layers of volcanic ash, a testament to generations of perseverance and innovation. Initially, volcanic eruptions devastated the island in the 18th century, leaving behind a layer of volcanic ash called picón. This led to a shift from cereal crops to grapevines, which adapted well to the challenging environment of low rainfall. Farmers ingeniously dug hoyos, or conical hollows, and planted grapevines, shielding them from harsh winds with lava stone walls. The dominant grape variety, Malvasía Volcánica, unique to the archipelago, epitomizes the island's wine production, while the human touch of the resilient growers adds another layer of uniqueness to Lanzarote's wines.

FRENCHMAN TURNS WINE INTO COCAINE

Earlier this month, a cellarmaster from a Châteauneuf-du-Pape winery appeared in court for allegedly stealing bottles to fund a cocaine habit. The suspect, in his 30s, worked at Domaine des Chanssaud and was arrested after a nine-month investigation. He allegedly sold stolen bottles, sometimes for as little as €10 each, to three individuals. The estate owner noticed discrepancies in the cellar's inventory, prompting the police inquiry. Authorities seized cash and wine during raids, but the full extent and duration of the theft remain unclear.

‘ELECTRONIC TONGUE’ TASTES WHEN WHITE WINE GOES BAD

A recent study introduced a novel "electronic tongue" that outperformed human senses in detecting contaminated wine. Developed by Ross and his team at Washington State's Sensory Science Center, this device identified microbial contamination in white wine within a week, far earlier than human evaluators or traditional Petri dish testing methods. Equipped with sensory probes, the electronic tongue analyzes compounds in liquid, providing a comprehensive wine "fingerprint" for quality assessment. This early detection capability challenges conventional winemaking practices and offers a promising tool for rapid and accurate quality control in the industry.

PAIRING WINE AND REAL ESTATE

Justin Ferguson, an investment sales associate at Marcus & Millichap, has seamlessly integrated his love for wine with his career in commercial real estate. Inspired by documentaries and driven by a desire to share his passion, Ferguson pursued wine certification and now serves as a wine director for a pop-up dinner group. Despite the initial intimidation, he encourages others to explore wine one bottle at a time. His favorite is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

WINE REGION OF THE WEEK: SOUTHERN OREGON, USA

The Southern Oregon AVA spans from near Eugene to the Californian state border, encompassing five smaller AVAs like Rogue Valley and Applegate Valley. The region boasts diverse terroirs due to its location at the convergence of the Klamath, Coast, and Cascade mountain ranges, resulting in varied microclimates and over 150 soil types. Despite being warmer and drier than the Willamette Valley, ocean breezes channeled by river systems moderate temperatures. Vineyards, some reaching altitudes of 2,000 feet, benefit from warm days and cool nights. While Pinot Noir thrives here, warm-climate varieties like Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon are also common. Cool microclimates support the cultivation of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling.

GRAPE OF THE WEEK: PINOT BLANC

Pinot Blanc, a versatile white grape, is utilized in various styles of wines, including still, sparkling, and sweet dessert varieties. Its versatility is evident in its production across different regions, from delicate white wines in Italy and Alsace to luxurious Trockenbeerenauslese in Austria and ice wine in Canada. Often considered akin to Chardonnay, it offers a medium to full-bodied wine with good acidity and potential for oak aging. Its flavor profile typically includes notes of apple, almond, and sometimes smokiness, though its expression can vary depending on winemaking techniques. Although Alsace is considered its spiritual home, Pinot Blanc is commercially produced in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Uruguay. In the Okanagan Valley of Canada, still, Pinot Blanc has gained recognition for its quality.

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