The most expensive wine in the world is Romanée-Conti Grand Cru, from the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. The ranking of the most expensive wines changes regularly, but it is largely dominated by French wines. Indeed, of the 20 most expensive wines of 2018, 16 are French.
Romanée-Conti Grand Cru: the most expensive wine in the world
Romanée-Conti Grand Cru is the most expensive wine in the world and therefore, naturally, the most expensive Burgundy wine and the most expensive red wine in the world. A bottle of Romanée-Conti Grand Cru changes hands on average at a price of around 15,000 euros (that is, 200 euros for a centilitre). That said, a bottle of this great wine has sold for far more: up to over 100,000 euros (that is, 1,300 euros for a centilitre)!
History of the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
At the time of the French Revolution, at the end of the 18th century, the estate was declared national property. It was not until the second half of the 19th century that it was acquired by Jacques-Marie Duvault-Blochet, a famous wine merchant. The estate was wiped out in 1945 following the phylloxera epidemic: there are therefore no vintages from 1946 to 1951. What is more, since 2007, biodynamic techniques have been applied across the whole estate. Finally, to learn more about the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, head to their website. Perhaps one day we will have the chance to record a podcast there.
Characteristics of the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Romanée-Conti pairs very well with game or a strong meat. You can also serve it with wild poultry (and in particular duck) or with veal. Romanée-Conti should be served at a temperature between 15 and 17 degrees. It can be kept for 20 to 40 years and will reach a perfect maturity. Finally, the surface area of the estate is 1.63 hectares. The most expensive wine in the world is produced at a rate of around 5,000 bottles a year. That said, it is worth pointing out that production volumes vary greatly, notably because of the estate’s biodynamic management; the estate is classed among the grands crus of the Côte de Nuits.
The other most expensive wines in the world
The rest of the ranking of the most expensive wines in the world is broadly dominated by French wines. Worth noting, the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti places two other wines in this ranking: Montrachet and La Tâche.
The three most expensive wines in the world
The second most expensive wine in the world is Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru, also a Côte de Nuits. It sells at an average price of 11,000 euros for a bottle. The last step on the podium is reserved for a German wine: Egon Müller-Scharzhof Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, sold at around 9,000 euros for a bottle.
The rest of the ranking of the most expensive wines in the world
The rest of the ranking of the 10 most expensive wines in the world is reserved for French wines. These change hands at between 4,500 euros and 8,500 euros on average. They include the following wines:
- Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Musigny Grand Cru;
- Domaine Leflaive Montrachet Grand Cru;
- Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet Grand Cru;
- Henri Jayer Echezeaux Grand Cru;
- Domaine Leroy Chambertin Grand Cru;
- Domaine Leroy Richebourg Grand Cru;
- Leroy Domaine d’Auvenay Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru;
So, the most expensive wine in the world is Romanée-Conti Grand Cru. We will not fail to dedicate detailed articles to each of these most expensive wines in the world, and even to dedicate a podcast episode to them.
