Collectible wines are drinks for true connoisseurs. Indeed, you must admit that not everyone can taste when the wine was cooked (what year the berry harvest is) and in what locality. Most simply note the incredible taste and aroma of wine. However, getting used to the refined taste is very easy, and once you try such a drink, you will want more.
General classification of wines
In order to understand what collection wines are, one should generally understand their existing classification. Surely everyone knows that this drink is obtained by fermentation of squeezed grape juice with the addition of pulp or without it. The berries for this drink are selected as one variety or several, depending on the method of making wine.
So, if we talk about the quality and aging time of this alcoholic drink, then there is the following classification:
- Young wines. Those who are realized before January 1 of that year, which follows the harvest for him, are considered such.
- Wines without aging. These become wines if they were sold from the first of January.
- Aged wines. Before bottling, they must be able to withstand at least six to eighteen months or even more.
- Vintage wines. Such a name can only get high-quality aged wines. Also, they include such types of this alcoholic drink as controlled names by origin. These wines are produced in strictly defined areas, they use special grape varieties. They also have a name that is forbidden to use in other places.
- Collectible wines. This is a special kind of alcoholic beverage. Such wines withstand the standard technology, then bottled, and they must last at least three years. But more often it takes much longer.
As you can see, collection wines are characterized by a long exposure, after which the wine acquires a special delicate taste. It is no accident that such drinks are in great demand, however, and they cost significantly more than ordinary wines. If you decide to purchase a vintage collection wine, then it will be much tastier and more valuable. Such drinks are distinguished by their characteristic recognition and aging time in the bottle.
How to drink luxury wines
It is no accident that they say that collection wines can only be understood by those who understand them. It is they who know how to drink such exquisite drinks. Here are some suggestions:
- Wine before bottling should have an optimum temperature (for example, for red wines it is 16-18 degrees). Only in this way you can feel the real taste of this drink.
- Also, before pouring wine into a glass, let it breathe a few minutes after opening the bottle. Reacting with oxygen, an alcoholic drink will reveal its aroma.
- Choose the right wine glassware. The glass should be wide, but taper a little to the top, then the aroma of the drink will accumulate in it and you will fully feel its bouquet. Do not pour a full glass, otherwise the wonderful smell will simply have nowhere to collect, and you will lose it.
- Another important recommendation would be to not print the bottle immediately after carrying it. The longer they carried and talked about her, the more time was needed for her to defend and rest.
The most famous brand of Crimean wines is “Massandra” ”
Perhaps the most famous Crimean collection wines are Massandra wines. It is here that contains the oldest and largest enoteca, the history of which dates back to the beginning of the 9th century. The beginning is connected with Count Vorontsov, who first engaged in the industrial production of Crimean wines. Further this work was continued by the son of the count, and also very successfully.
Further, since 1891, Prince Golitsyn made a huge contribution to the development of winemaking in Crimea. He not only laid new vineyards, but also a unique collection of wines, which was selected from the best representatives from all over Europe. It included about thirty-two thousand bottles.
Of course, the collection survived the difficult days during the war and anti-alcohol companies by order of the leadership, but today it is considered one of the best in the world.
Massandra Wine Collection
Now let’s take a closer look at what unique collection wines of Crimea the Massandra winery contains. Today, you can find at least eight hundred kinds of wines in it. If you count all the bottles, it will be at least a million. Of course, this is not one room, but as many as ten galleries.
Wine of the harvest of 1775 can be considered the pearl of the Massandra collection. This is Jerez de la Frontera. As you can see, it is quite ancient, but it has not completely lost its truly unique qualities. This is probably why in 2001 it was sold at auction for fifty thousand dollars.
Also in this collection you can find such rarities:
- Muscat white "Massandra" harvest 1896;
- red port "Massandra" harvest 1893;
- "Tokai Ai-Danil" harvest of 1906.
Of course, this is not the whole list of collection and unique wines that this wine company can boast. More can be found in various stores representing these products.
Tokai wines
Very often, a collection of collection wines includes precisely Tokai wine, because it truly has its own special refined taste. Only in this area unique natural conditions are manifested, which are no longer anywhere. Many owners of vineyards would like to create such a wine in their own home, but grapes from the Tokaja valleys never produced such amazing berries as at home.
Tokay wine gained worldwide fame by 1150. By 1606, drinking this drink became fashionable. For example, regular deliveries of Tokaysky were provided to Russia at the Tsar’s table of Peter the Great. It really went like hot cakes, and not only among the royal families, but also among the less well-off sections of the population.
So what is so special about this wine? The area where the vineyards are located has special natural conditions that cannot be found anywhere else. During the ripening period of the harvest, in the fall, it often rains. This entails a change in the grape - it is struck by a special mold that does not harm people. After the rains there follows a rather long period, filled with sunny days. At this time, the berries ripen right on the branches. Then they make wine, which has a unique taste and aroma.
The most difficult to manufacture, and therefore more expensive, is considered to be Essence wine. It sometimes takes decades to cook. Such a time is necessary for its fermentation. This is due to the fact that this alcoholic drink is made from pure raisins, naturally, juice is obtained much less than from fresh grapes. It is believed that because of its composition, this wine can be stored much longer than other similar drinks.
The most famous expensive wines
Now consider a short list of the most expensive wines in the world:
- Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Champagne. This wine harvest of 1907 was estimated by experts at 275 thousand dollars. Obviously, this happened due to the special conditions of its storage - during the First World War it drowned in the sea and lay there until 1998.
- Chateau Mouton-Rothschild. This is a 1945 vintage wine. It was made in France. For a bottle of drink offer 114 614 dollars.
Of course, there are quite a lot of such wines in the world, because many people have already realized over time that their acquisition is a significant financial contribution.
Where can I get collection wines?
If you decide to buy yourself a collection wine, then you should know that you need to buy it in specialized stores. This is due to the fact that such drinks should be stored in special conditions so as not to lose their taste. Particular attention should be paid to online stores, which now present such products in a large selection.
In almost every big city you can find a good shop where collection wines are presented . Moscow, for example, has two Massandra stores. Here you can buy wine in beautiful boxes, which are accompanied by instructions on how to proceed with a gourmet drink.
In addition, there are a sufficient number of proven online stores where a much larger variety of wines is presented. They can also be purchased at auctions that are held there with enviable constancy.
For what cases are such wines suitable?
Collectible red and white wines are a universal gift for special occasions. They can be presented for a birthday to a jubilee, taken for a romantic picnic or booked on a date. Collection wines are great for a wedding celebration and as a gift to the newlyweds.
It should be noted that according to European traditions and now in wine families, a certain number of bottles of wine are put in the cellars in the cellar in the year of birth . They lay the wine that was already settled in barrels at the time of the birth of the child for two years. Consequently, after twenty to thirty years, the wine becomes quite a collection, with excellent taste and aroma.
This tradition is also considered a wonderful investment of capital, because after decades, the cost of old aged wines increases significantly. It should be noted that if funds allow, they lay good wines that are purchased from various well-known manufacturers. So, for example, Patrick News, who is the chief oenologist at JM Brocard, walled up about six hundred bottles of various wines in his home cellar when his second daughter was born.
How to choose a collection wine?
To make a first-class gift in the form of a collection wine, you should know some of the subtleties in its purchase. First, decide what you want to buy it for (as a gift, for a celebration or for relaxation). If this is a gift to someone, then you should first find out the tastes of the person to whom it will be presented.
If you decide to donate wine for the future collection, you should know that it will become such in ten years, moreover, it must be stored in appropriate conditions. Most often, collection red wine is presented for the future, since it is it that is most endured.
You should also be aware that if you have acquired such an exquisite alcoholic drink and found a precipitate, then this should be so. Some elements in such wines eventually deposit on the bottom and walls of the bottle.
Conclusion
So, now you know what aged wines are, what is their difference from others and how to choose collection wines. If you still decide to get yourself such an exclusive drink, then remember that you need to enjoy it by the rules. This is how you can fully experience the taste of fine wine.