There are more than 70 countries worldwide producing wine. Historically, 90 percent of the world’s wine came from 15 countries, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization.
To understand the global spectrum, we analyzed data from Wine-Searcher.com and compiled the most expensive wine from every country. From the Old World usual suspects, to a LVMH Chinese label less than a decade old, the results are fascinating.
Below are the top-priced wines as of March 8, 2018. For the full list, see Wine-Searcher.com.
France: Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits
Called a “perfect Burgundy,” the world’s most expensive wine has rich fruit and exotic spices on the palate, black cherry aromas, and elegant, satiny balance. A case of the 1978 vintage was sold for $476,000 (or $39,000 per bottle) at a record-setting auction at Christie’s Hong Kong in 2013.
Price: $18,052.00
Germany: Egon Muller Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel
This revered German producer produces Mosel’s best wines, and has been family-owned for four generations (though its roots date to Ancient Rome). Lime syrup, floral notes, and a long finish headline this remarkably balanced Riesling.
Price: $11,600.00
Portugal: W & J Graham’s ‘Ne Oublie’ Port *
Nutty spices unravel in the nose of this tawny Port from the Duoro, which has layered, balanced notes of dried fruits, honey, and a bit of acid from citrus zest on the palate. Sold in limited quantities in decanter bottles, this is one of the world’s most highly regarded sweet wines.
Price: $6,884.00
Australia: Seppeltsfield Para Vintage Tawny Port, Barossa Valley
This elegant tawny port from South Australia’s Barossa Valley features rich chocolate and coffee on the nose, followed by spice, cedar, and balanced acid on the palate. Wine-Searcher reports that it is gaining popularity, and prices are rising accordingly.
Price: $6,081.00
USA: Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc, Oakville
Napa’s most esteemed Sauvignon Blanc hails from Oakville, an area situated between Rutherford and Yountville. Produced in limited quantities since 2010, Screaming Eagle’s bottle has notes of herbs and tropical fruit, with acidity on the finish.
Price: $3,873.00
Spain: Teso La Monja, Toro
Expect a sweet, oaky nose and big, balanced flavors from this Tempranillo, which has flavors ranging from cherries blackberries, and cassis, to a touch of licorice. It has been continually rising in popularity this past year, and is well-suited to aging.
Price: $1,104.00
Italy: Masseto Toscana IGT, Tuscany
The highest priced Tuscan wine has won top honors from the likes of Jancis Robinson (who awarded the 1987 vintage 18/20) for its delicate structure. Characterized by ripe, black fruits, this round, elegant wine has excellent aging potential.
Price: $767.00
Austria: Weinlaubenhof Alois Kracher Trockenbeerenauslese Kollektion, Burgenland
Named “Winemaker of the Year” no fewer than six times by London’s Wine Journal, Austria’s legendary Alois Kracher produces rich, rightly revered bottles. This nuanced noble sweet wine features notes of apricot and other stone fruit.
Price: $649.00
Argentina: Catena Zapata Estiba Reservada, Agrelo
An elegant Bordeaux blend, this inky-purple wine from one of Argentina’s most prestigious estates features red fruit such as cherries and cassis layered over leather and smoke. Expect a long finish and velvety tannins.
Price: $389.00
China: Ao Yun, Yunnan
The first Chinese wine from luxury label LVMH, this Cabernet Franc-Cabernet Sauvignon blend has a dark, inky color. Flavors include ripe red fruit and spice on the nose, with coffee and black currants on the palate and a lengthy, elegant finish.
Price: $292.00
Other Countries
| Israel | Golan Heights Winery Yarden Katzrin Red, Galilee | Price: $274.00 |
| New Zealand | Destiny Bay ‘Magna Praemia’, Waiheke Island | Price: $264.00 |
| Chile | Vinedo Chadwick, Maipo Valley | Price: $243.00 |
| South Africa | De Toren ‘The Black Lion’ Shiraz, Stellenbosch | Price: $243.00 |
| Switzerland | Weingut Daniel & Marta Gantenbein Chardonnay, Graubunden | Price: $197.00 |
| Hungary | Disznoko Kapi Vineyard Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj-Hegyalja | Price: $183.00 |
| Canada | Inniskillin Cabernet Franc Icewine, Niagara Peninsula | Price: $183.00 |
| Greece | Estate Argyros Vin Santo 20 Years Barrel Aged, Santorini | Price: $122.00 |
| Slovenia | Edi Simcic Kolos, Goriska Brda | Price: $111.00 |
| Uruguay | Familia Deicas ‘Massimo Deicas’ Tannat, Juanico | Price: $88.00 |
| Croatia | Bura Dingac, Peljesac Peninsula | Price: $70.00 |
| Lebanon | Ixsir ‘El Ixsir’ | Price: $63.00 |
| Brazil | Pizzato ‘DNA 99’ Single Vineyard Merlot, Vale dos Vinhedos | Price: $63.00 |
| Bolivia | Rujero Bolivian Singani | Price: $39.00 |
| Georgia | Telavi Wine Cellar Marani ‘Satrapezo’ Saperavi, Kakheti | Price: $33.00 |
| Bulgaria | Katarzyna Estate ‘Encore’ Syrah | Price: $25.00 |
| Cypress | Zambartas Wineries Maratheftiko | Price: $24.00 |
| Morocco | Thalvin – Domaine des Ouled Thaleb ‘Syrocco’ Syrah, Zenata | Price: $22.00 |
* Editor’s Note: Wine-searcher.com lists a different Portuguese wine, Companhia Vinicola da Madeira CVM Malmsey Vintage, as Portugal’s most expensive. Its average price ($32,395.00) is indeed higher than the W & J Graham’s Port described above ($6,884.00). We included the Port, however, because its price has held steady for the past several years, whereas the Companhia Vinicola da Madeira average is skewed by one very expensive bottle of a 1795 vintage listed at $32,395.00.
