Most Expensive Wine in the World

The word wine has its root from the ancient Greek word for vines, vinos. The vine produces lush grapes which are then fermented to create the popular yet sophisticated alcoholic drink we know as wine. In many areas, the English word wine and its synonyms in different languages are protected by law, as other beverages similar to wine can be produced from fruits, rice, flowers and honey.

At the highest end, rare, super-expensive wines are often the costliest item on the menu, and exceptional vintages from the best vineyards may sell for thousands of dollars per bottle. Expensive red wines with their complex subtleties are traditionally more costly than other expensive wines.

The most expensive wine ever sold is a bottle of 1787 Chateau Lafite which sold at Christie’s London in December, 1985 for £105,00 (about US $160,000). The wine is reported to be from the cellar of Thomas Jefferson, the former US President, and this most expensive bottle of wine had the initials Th.J etched into the glass bottle.

Chateau Lafite is a famous winery situated in the village of Pauillac, France. The winery has been occupied since at least the 14th century, and the majority of the vines were planted around 1680. Jefferson first sampled the wine while in France but continued to be a customer of these expensive Bordeaux wines throughout his life.

Recently a wine which sold for $90,000 was mis-reported as the most expensive wine bottle ever, and we shall see how long the $160,000 bottle will stay the most expensive bottle of wine.

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