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In liquor stores, I often heard from sellers that they subdivide wines (in addition to white, red, sparkling, semi-sweet, dessert, etc.) into ordinary wines and high-class (quality) wines, among which they also distinguish collection ones.
Due to the fact that I sometimes take wine, but this does not mean that in my head there should be information about what kind of wine it is, what year of harvest, manufacturer. I prefer red and choose it on the principle that you can try it, and if you don’t like it, then forget about it. If you like it, remember it.
However, the descriptions of wines themselves, such as “high-class wines” and “collection wines” stuck in my head, and I decided to figure out what they are.
What wine is considered collectible
If you do not go into the number of varieties, then high quality wines include wines made from valuable grape varieties. Which are characteristic of a particular region on a geographical basis and are collected only in certain (favorable for grapes) years.
They are classified, according to the aging period (from the largest to the smallest) into collectible, vintage and aged.
Collectibles include those that, after aging in barrels, being bottled, are aged in wine storages (enotecas) for at least three years. In this case, there is no limit on exposure. There are wines from a hundred years ago that still retain their unique taste properties.
Can any wine become collectible?
The most interesting thing is that, yes, indeed, any wine can become collectible, if we are talking about especially old and rare wines, but only if it is from the category of high quality wines.
According to oenologists, not every grape variety can be stored for a long time and at the same time become better, which is why collection wines are so valued, and especially valuable grape varieties are grown with special care.
How much do collection wines cost?
The range of prices for such wines is truly great. In one of the specialized stores, I saw bottles with a price of three thousand rubles.
And if we talk about the most expensive, then in 2000, a bottle made in California (USA), Cabernet Sauvignon Screaming Eagle 1992 (Cabernet Sauvignon Screaming Eagle 1992), was sold at an auction for more than 14 million rubles.
However, you can find collectible samples at a relatively low cost.
Cost examples for 2020:
- No name (But name) 2015 – red or white dry. Cost: 3200 rubles per bottle.
- Rioja Reserva (Rioja Reserva) 2013 – red dry. Cost: 3250 rubles per bottle.
- Barolo Riserva (Barolo Riserva) 1988 – dry red. Cost: 20200 rubles per bottle.
The older the wine, the more expensive it is and the more rich and aromatic it is.
What is the difference between collection wines and ordinary ones?
Collectible wines differ from ordinary ones primarily in the grape varieties from which they are made. It is also very important that the grapes are harvested at a favorable moment, so the grapes for collection wines are not harvested every year.
It is worth noting that with age, and we already know that they are aged for at least three years, the color of the drink becomes darker and more saturated.
Be sure to note that collectible grape drinks can be an excellent investment if you follow the correct storage conditions and do not lose the certificates that are sold with the bottle.
Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Take care of yourself!
I’m going to buy a couple of inexpensive bottles, suddenly the price will skyrocket in ten years. What do you think about this?