Wine making is believed to have started as early as 6000 BC. C. in Georgia and Iran, and production began in the year 4500 a. C. in Greece. Today, wines are produced in numerous regions of the world where laws governing the classification and sale of wines require that wines be classified by region or terroir (European wines) or by grape (non-European wine).
Today’s wines number in the thousands, but only a few are recognized as the best in the world. Below are some of the best wines in the world, selected by elite wine connoisseurs for their expression of flavor, nose, and wine color.
1.2001 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nouva (Tuscany, Italy)
Named the best wine in the world in 2006 by Wine Spectator magazine, this wine was made by Casanova de Neri. It has a deep garnet color with hints of tannins and a long finish. With each sip, the palate bursts with red and black fruits, spices and tobacco. The nose is fine oak, liquorice, floral, plums and herbs.
2. 1999 Clos de Lambrays Grand Cru (Burgundy, France)
From the Domain de Lambray winery, this vintage Burgundian Pinot Noir has an intense flavor and aroma. Vanilla, herbs, spices, and hints of black and red fruit are sure to delight the senses.
3. 1990 Domaine de la Romanee Conti “La Tache” Grand Cru (Burgundy, France)
From the vineyards of Burgundy, there is one bottle that truly captures the magic that Burgundy is famous for. The DRC “La Tache” Grand Cru is the most expensive and also the rarest wine in the world. Wonderfully complex and spicy with an intense finish, La Tache hints at cloves, anise, soy and hoisin — this wine will truly leave you speechless and emotionally speechless. It is one of those wines that you want to let sleep for several years. Try it again after 15 years or more and you’ll understand what “knockout” and “best” really mean.
4. Krug Brut Champagne 1998 (Reims, France)
Fermented in old oak barrels, this vintage wine has a robust flavor. It has a floral aroma and a complexity that you will love: the wine is delicate but explodes in the mouth.
5. 2002 “Gaston” Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, California, USA)
From Palmas Vineyard in Napa Valley, California, “Gaston” brings out rich plum flavors. Named for Palmaz’s son, Christian Gaston, it is dense with edgy tannins, but the nose is smooth with a hint of light oak, blackberry and eucalyptus.
6. 2007 Koru Pinot Noir (Marlborough, New Zealand)
The grapes used for this wine all came from a 1.1 acre vineyard at the foot of a hill in Marlborough. A rare one; only 359 cases or 2,154 bottles were made. Koru Pinot Noir is both understated and complex. The flavor is layered with subtle notes of fruit and spice. Let it rest for 10 to 12 years and its flavor will be even more ethereal.
7. 1994 Muga Prado “Enea” Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain)
Muga Prado is a red wine with nuances of espresso, stone fruit and plum. You can drink this vintage now or open in 2016 when its flavor fully matures. Gran Reserva Enea is 80% Tempranillo grape and 20% Garnacha. This is the wine to serve if you have dishes that are difficult to pair with.
8. 2003 Robert Weil Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese Goldkapsel, Kiedricher Grafenberg (Rheingau, Germany)
This is one of the rarest wines in the world, with less than 50 bottles made, and is considered the best dessert wine.
9. 1989 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Riserva “Gran Bussia”, (Piedmont, Italy)
This muscular wine has a deep ruby color with bursts of raspberry, licorice and anise. The nose is cherry and floral. Gran Bussia perfectly captures “the power and poetry of the Nebbiolo grape”.
10. 2005 Clos de Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Rhône France)
Ranked #1 wine by Wine Spectator magazine in 2007, Chateauneuf-du-Pape has an intensity and minerality you’ll never forget. The wine bursts with a bouquet of berries, blackberry fruit, stone fruit, herbs de Provence, liquorice and spices. Its sweet tannin and smoothness will leave you speechless. The grape is 65% Grenache, 20% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah and other grapes.