Fine Wine

Whilst experts generally agree on which wines are the greatest, this assessment remains highly subjective... So what qualities must a wine possess to be ranked amongst the fine wine?

Depending on their colour (red, rosé, white or orange), the qualities required of fine wines are obviously not the same. In the case of a fine red wine, a full-bodied wine is often appreciated, whilst a fine white wine is valued for its minerality. There are, however, a number of objective criteria that enable us to recognise and classify fine wines.

Very often, fine wines originate in regions renowned for their climate, which is favourable to vine-growing, or which specialise in producing high-quality wine. The terroir is therefore the first criterion to be taken into account. Fine wines are also distinguished by the grape variety predominantly used in their production: for example, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah.

Finally, fine wines can be identified by their vintage. A common misconception is that the older a wine is, the better it is. In reality, a Beaujolais shows off its qualities best when it is young (or not too old), whilst a Burgundy will, in most cases, actually improve with a little time in the cellar. Certain vintages are also notable for weather conditions that are particularly favourable to the production of great wines: these are often years of drought, such as 1976, 2003 or 2013.