For many wine lovers, France is the world's greatest wine country. However, it's now in second place in two key categories. First, it has the world's second-largest total vineyard area, second to Spain. Second, it is also the second-largest wine producer: Italy takes the lead in the volume of wine produced.
Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru is the most expensive wine, and frankly, by a landslide. It's the only wine with an average retail price above $40,000 and one of two wines with peak retail prices over $100,000. (Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti Grand Cru is the other one.)
When it comes to the best red wine, you'll want to look at regions such as Tuscany, Puglia, Veneto, Piemonte, Lambrusco and Sicily, where you'll find a variety of red wines to enjoy in the Italian sun. The Paololeo Passo Del Cardinale Primitivo Di Manduria 2020 is produced in Puglia, a southern region in Italy.
Oldest Wine in Existence Today: 325-350 AD Speyer Wine Bottle. Found in 1867 in the tomb of Roman soldier, the Speyer wine bottle is believed to be the oldest wine in existence.
Iceland is the most expensive country to buy wine
Iceland is known to mark up its alcohol, and it's mostly thanks to taxes. In most Scandinavian countries, alcohol is taxed rather high; sometimes, up to 80% of the price of a bottle of spirits might be just from tax.
Caberlot. The rarest grape variety in the world, there are only 2 hectares of this variety grown today, a genetic cross between Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
The best vintages are 1975, 1976, 1983, and 1995. You can find them here, in our selection of archival wines. However, if you're seeking an exceptional vintage of archival red wine, try a 1989 Pomerol.
The Chateau Lafite is known as the most expensive standard bottle of wine. If wine historians are to be believed, this bottle was taken directly from Thomas Jefferson's cellar.
Henri IV Dudognon Heritage Cognac Grande Champagne is the most expensive drink on our list. It's a cognac that's made by the Henri IV Dudognon distillery in France, and is presented in a 24-carat gold and sterling silver bottle that's adorned with over 6,000 diamonds.
Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks. Any links between red wine and fewer heart attacks aren't completely understood.
Cabernet Sauvignon is most likely the most popular wine. Even though it is being produced in different regions all over the world, it originated from the famous Bordeaux region. The red color of the Cabernet Sauvignon is more on the darker side, slightly inclined toward plum hues.
South Australia is home to some of the oldest continuously producing vineyards in the world, so it's no surprise that its regions are regarded as some of the country's best.
Bright, bold and full of personality, Shiraz is Australia's most popular variety. It grows in almost every wine region of Australia, accounts for one-quarter of total wine production and is our most exported wine.
Australia wine has a slightly warmer climate and makes more graceful full-bodied wines with a high degree of acidity and alcohol. Wines made in the cooler southeastern part of Australia (Yarra Valley and Adelaide Hills) have more earthy tones and fruity flavours.
In Italy, Barolo is revered as the King of Wines... and the Wine of Kings. Its association with nobility dates back to the 19th century, when it was a favourite among the reigning dynasty. The Barolo Region and the town of Barolo are located in the Langhe hills of Piemonte in northwest Italy.
High-quality wines will express intense flavors and a lingering finish, with flavors lasting after you've swallowed the wine. Flavors that disappear immediately can indicate that your wine is of moderate quality at best. The better the wine, the longer the flavor finish will last on your palate.
The best wines can be stored for more than 100 years, but most great wines will reach their peak before they turn 50 years old.