What wines are considered elite

Elite wine, as follows from the very definition of the word “elite”, is a drink that is not available to everyone. First of all, because of the high price, but not only. Such wines are not sold in ordinary stores, they can be purchased or tasted in closed wine clubs or restaurants “for the elite”. It goes without saying that elite wines are produced in limited quantities and their quality is always impeccable.

Strictly speaking, any winemaker can produce 10 bottles of wine from the berries of a particularly successful harvest, age them for 50 years, and then put up for auction at exorbitant prices, and such a drink will be considered elite. But there are also less radical options.

What wines are considered elite
Elite wines require special storage conditions

Elite wines are stored in a specially equipped wine cellar, where the temperature regime is strictly observed.

French elite wines

France is the standard in the field of winemaking. The best wines are produced in the regions:

  • Бордо (Bordeaux);
  • Burgundy;
  • Champagne;
  • Rhone.

Italian

The most famous regions where you can find really expensive and high-quality wine:

  • Barbera (Barbera);
  • Barbaresco;
  • Бароло (Barolo);
  • Chianti.

Spanish

Famous representatives of the Spanish wine industry are found in the regions:

  • Ribera del Duero (Ribera del Duero);
  • Sherry;
  • Rioha (Rioja);
  • Priory.

German

Despite its northern location, this country has also invested a lot in the treasury of world winemaking. The following wines are especially famous:

  • Saar;
  • Moselle (Mosel);
  • Pfalz;
  • Рувер (Rougher);
  • Reingau (Rheingau).
What wines are considered elite
Vineyards in the Moselle Valley

Portuguese

  • Доуро (Douro);
  • Port wine (Port wine);
  • Madeira;
  • Dao (Dao).

Georgian elite wines

Georgian wines are best known in the territory of the former USSR. Compared to the great French or Italian counterparts, they have a very bright taste and a fairly reasonable price. The best representatives:

  • Hvančkara;
  • Kindzmarauli;
  • Mukuzani;
  • Ahaseni;
  • Saperavi;
  • Tbilisi;
  • Repent;
  • Cinandali.

All of the above wines are good, but can be both elite and public – it all depends on the year of release, price, batch size and other parameters already mentioned.

Recommendations of wine masters

A wine master (Master of Wine) is far from the same as a sommelier, even the most qualified, experienced and educated. Only 390 people in the world have this status, and wine masters concentrate not so much on the practice of tasting as on research and academic work. The recommendation of such a specialist also translates the wine into the category, if not elite, then at least unusual and in demand.

  1. Jansz Premium Rosé ($ 25), Tasmania, Australia.
  2. Bertani 2008 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC ($ 110), Венето, Италия.
  3. Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve Champagne ($ 70), Champagne, France.
  4. Chateau Lynch-Bages 2009 Grand Cru Classé Pauillac ($ 220), Bordeaux, France.
  5. Lokoya 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon ($395), California, USA.
  6. Badia a Passignano 2015 Gran Selezione Chianti Classico DOCG ($ 54), Къянти, Италия.
  7. Peter Michael Winery 2016 Coeur à Coeur ($ 80), California, USA.
  8. Scarecrow 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon ($700), California, USA.
  9. Lingua Franca 2017 Bunker Hill Chardonnay ($ 50), Орегон, США.
  10. Frédéric Esmonin 2017 Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru Gevrey-Chambertin ($ 160), Burgundy, France.
  11. Lassalle 2011 Cuvée Angéline Premier Cru Brut Champagne ($ 120), Champagne, France.
  12. Dragonette Cellars 2017 Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir ($ 75), California, USA.
  13. Donnafugata 2017 Ben Ryé Pantelleria DOC Passito ($ 92), Italy.
  14. Ramos Pinto RP 30 Tawny Port ($ 115), Portugal.
  15. Bruno Giacosa 2018 Roero Arneis Piemonte DOCG ($ 29), Piedmont, Italy.
  16. Don Melchor Concha y Toro 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Vineyard, Puente Alto DO ($120), Чили.
  17. Arietta 2017 On the White Keys ($ 65), California, USA.
  18. Cliff Lede Vineyards 2016 Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District ($ 285), California, USA.
  19. Davis Estates 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville ($125), California, USA.
  20. Crown Point 2015 Estate Selection Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara County ($150), Калифорния, США.

Elite wine clubs

Commandery of Bordeaux

As the name suggests, this club gathers lovers of wines from the Bordeaux region. The headquarters is located in New York, there are more than 100 representative offices of the club in the world, the oldest of which is over 60 years old (founded in 1959).

To join the community, it is not enough to fill out an application and pay membership fees – first, the applicant spends at least two years on the waiting list, then he is invited to take a written and oral examination, during which the candidate must confirm that he really understands wines. Finally, the last stage is a dinner party for two active members of the club with the obligatory serving of one of the best Bordeaux wines. Upon joining, membership fees are around $1000 per year.

Treasure Club, a special club

Club members specialize in elite sparkling wines. The organization accepts in its ranks only producers of this sparkling wine, and their products must be distinguished not only by excellent characteristics, but also by a unique terroir. “Club de Trezor” produces its own wines, each of which is tested for at least three years before entering the market.

Brotherhood of the Knights of Tastevin

Members of this club prefer expensive Burgundy to all other drinks, and their main mission is to promote and spread the culture of this wine-growing region.

The name of the organization is translated as “The Brotherhood of the Knights of the Wine Chalice”, and all ceremonial events in this club are held at the highest level: members wear solemn red and yellow robes, use silver appliances, drink the most elite wine and discuss high society events.

The New York branch of the club accepts no more than 7-8 new members annually.

1243 Burgundy Society

Thousands of dollars worth of wines can be sampled at this club’s dinner parties. The organization was founded just a few years ago, but membership is already closed: the founders decided that they would accept no more than 100 people into their ranks, otherwise the club would not be elite.

The club hosts themed evenings with wine tastings, such as “vintage ending in 6”, membership in the club can only be afforded by billionaires.

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