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Wine is an emotional topic that we as connoisseurs like to talk about. You have probably already stumbled upon the question of what the differences are between expensive and cheap wines . The discussion of whether expensive wines are always better than cheaper alternatives has also filled many an hour over dinner. Reason enough to get to the bottom of this question.
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Reading time approx. 4:30 min
While you can get one bottle of wine for a small sum, you'll almost have to sell your kidney for another. But where do the significant price differences come from? After all, wine is produced all over the world according to almost the same standards.
The big difference between cheap and high-priced wines is mass compatibility. Cheap wines have a taste profile that appeals to as many people as possible. Accordingly, economies of scale allow large quantities to be produced and sold. The larger the quantity produced, the lower the selling price can be - supply and demand, in other words.
Expensive wines, on the other hand, usually have a special character, come from a region with limited cultivation areas, have a protected name or have production-specific features. This makes them less compatible with the masses on the one hand and ensures a smaller supply on the other.
In addition to the wine itself, you also pay for its packaging. Standard bottles are cheaper than branded relief bottles (glass bottles with integrated motifs in the shape of a glass), screw caps are cheaper than natural corks and outer packaging also costs money. Basically, the more elaborate the packaging (including the number of labels), the higher the proportion of packaging costs. Important: The more expensive the wine, the less significant these costs are.
Well-known wineries and the companies behind them invest a lot of money in advertising and marketing measures to sell you their wine. These costs are also passed on to each bottle.
The grape varieties not only differ in aroma, but also determine the price of a wine. While a Merlot from France, for example, offers excellent value for money, the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from California's Napa Valley are among the most expensive grapes in the world.
Good wine needs to mature. This is at least true for red wines, which only gain their character through storage in oak barrels. A well-stored wine is therefore always more expensive than a wine that has only been in a wooden barrel for a short time.
Wine is an agricultural product. This means that its production is heavily dependent on the influences of weather and climate. If the harvest is particularly poor in one year, for example due to drought, the price per bottle increases. This is especially true for premium wines, which are then made even more scarce.
The barrels in which the wine is stored also cost money. A good barrel made of European oak can easily cost between 600 and 2,500 euros, depending on its character and quality. The wineries also pass these costs on to each individual bottle.
Did you know?
Fresh oak barrels have a high tannin content, which means that the red wine has strong notes of cloves, vanilla and nutmeg. So-called refill barrels (barrels that have already been filled several times) have fewer tannins in the wood and thus ensure a gentler aroma. Former wine barrels are also often used by Scottish distilleries to mature particularly fruity single malt whisky.
As with everything, there is a connection between price and objective quality in wine. A high-priced wine from the Premium Plus segment is certainly better than a tetra pack of wine from a discounter. However, the so-called marginal yield curve , which you may know from economics, also applies to wine. In simple terms, it states that the gain in quality, for example, decreases with every additional euro spent.
While the difference in quality between a wine for 4 euros and one for 20 euros is usually immense, the difference between a wine for 20 euros and 200 euros is only minimal. The increase in quality is therefore not linear, but level off. From a certain point onwards, wines generally no longer get better despite the higher price, but simply become rarer.
Particularly old wines costing several hundred euros can actually be of lower quality than comparatively cheap wines. This is simply because these wines develop negative properties over several decades of storage, for example due to the influence of the cork.
In short:
Expensive wines are not automatically better.
Each product group has its own price segment. This is no different for wine than for cars or whiskey. The price structure ranges from discount versions for the absolute mass market through the upper class to ultra-premium products for a very small target group.
To help you better orient yourself when buying wine, you should know the price structure. The following list will help you categorize wines between discount and ultra premium:
The so-called " price segment " contains mass-produced wines with a taste that is acceptable to the masses. They generally have no special features in terms of taste or production.
The "Premium Segment" offers you as a wine lover a wide range of characterful wines with premium quality.
Purely by definition, the price range from 15 euros to 20 euros per bottle includes great top wines in the "Premium Plus category" . This range typically includes premium wines from overseas as well as special wines from the region.
The "super premium sector" is full of excellent top wines that have already won numerous national and international awards. These include mainly wines from well-known top wineries as well as unique character wines.
The "Ultra Premium" segment includes numerous excellent top wines that bear the label "The Best of the Best". Wines in the "Ultra Premium" segment are also characterized by their small number of copies. Accordingly, it also includes pure collector's wines for several hundred to a thousand euros per bottle, which serve exclusively as an investment.
Only you can answer this question based on your taste and expectations of the wine product. If you are mainly looking for the intoxicating effect of wine for a celebration, a drop from the "price segment" will do. However, for a good five euros you can get quality white wines, red wine (a term for a simple wine) or a good quality rosé as a drink with a meal or for a warm evening.
Wines from the " Premium " and " Premium Plus " segment, on the other hand, offer an enormous variety of aromas due to their body, which can be excellently tasted with taste buds trained through wine tasting. Such wines are ideal for special moments.
" Super Premium " wines, on the other hand, are suitable for celebrations, a special meal for two or a wine tasting with friends. The wines in the " Ultra Premium " category, on the other hand, are only for real wine connoisseurs and collectors.
The price is crucial for the quality of a wine.
High-quality barrels, exclusive locations, limited quantities and the effort involved in production and maturation time all come at a price.
However, an expensive wine is not automatically a better wine. It all depends on what you expect from a wine and what experience you have.
Fortunately, you can get a good idea of the segments of the wine price structure.
Then browse through our wine tastings and let us personally explain the world of wine to you!
You have already read 4 of 12 articles on the topic of wine. Now take a look at the next article to complete your connoisseur knowledge!
Or go to Wine Course Part II to get an overview of all topics!
