Red wines of provence

Knowing how to spot a good bottle of wine in wine cellars or on the shelves is no easy task if you’re not an expert in the field. There is such a wide variety that it can sometimes be difficult to choose.

The first step is to identify the type of wine you wish to enjoy before choosing a bottle. This alone can help you rule out certain options.

It is also worth finding out about vintages. These are a good indicator, informing the consumer about the year the grapes were harvested and the quality of the wine. People often pay more attention to vintages when it comes to red wines, as some are wines for ageing that improve with time.

In fact, there are a great many guides available to help you understand the different vintages. For example, 2005 is known to be an excellent year.

Bear in mind, however, that a wine that is too young is not necessarily a bad wine. You need to give the wine time to develop, even whilst in the bottle.

Rosé wines, on the other hand, are best drunk quickly. Generally speaking, their shelf life is quite short: it does not exceed two to three years.

Tasting wine can be a key step in understanding the different aromas and identifying grape varieties and vintages. When it comes to tasting wines, some people prefer to follow the wine route, whilst others enjoy attending wine fairs.

Some estates, such as Virant, even organise tastings in their own cellars.

These experiences are often a great way to discover, taste and savour wines. They also provide an opportunity to seek advice from experts.

The price of a bottle is determined by taking into account supply and demand in a competitive market, the cost price and the desired profit.

The price of a bottle of wine can range from 3 to tens of thousands of euros. Sometimes, the criteria for setting the price are not based solely on its quality.

Indeed, several factors come into play, notably the terroir, the estate, its size, the wine’s rarity, its flavours, and its reputation, which is a mark of quality. Prestigious and sought-after appellations such as Champagne or Pomerol increase the value of the bottle. Several French estates that have earned a reputation for luxury sell their bottles for several thousand euros. Winegrowers put in a great deal of effort to maintain the quality and reputation of the great estates.

The ageing of the wine also plays a role, as the bottle becomes a collector’s item. Indeed, a wine with ageing potential may be more expensive to buy because it increases in value over the years, depending on the vintage. Some wine enthusiasts prefer to invest in bottles, which they regard as works of art. The price of such bottles can soar to great heights.

Production, harvesting and winemaking methods also play a part in determining the price. Factors to be analysed here include mechanisation, the age of the vines, their yield and winemaking techniques.

The price of a bottle of wine may increase if it has won a prize or been recognised in a competition.

The title of ‘best red wine’ depends on our personal tastes as consumers. Each wine may be enjoyed by some, whilst others may find it unpleasant. This choice is highly personal and depends on the aromas one wishes to find in the wine.

There are world-renowned professional rankings that rank the world’s best red wines. However, various tools are used to compile these lists, including guides, newspapers and competitions. These resources help to distinguish between different wines and find that rare gem.

Wine Spectator is a renowned magazine that is highly influential in the wine world. Every year since 1988, it has compiled a ‘Top 100’ list of wines. This ranking features wines that have been tasted and rated over the course of a year. This rating system is based on specific criteria relating to quality and value.

Numerous vineyards from around the world are recognised. For 2018, Wine Spectator unveiled its ranking; and on the podium is a 2015 Sassicaia from Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri in Tuscany. A St-Emilion Château Canon-La Gaffelière follows it in the ranking.

The Parker Guide is another resource that lists the best wines, awarding them a score and a commentary following a tasting. Wines that score above 90/10 are considered to be ‘the best wines’. The guide was created by the American Robert Parker, a professional wine taster and wine critic. The guide’s reputation is such that when a wine is rated above 90 points, one can be certain that that particular vintage will sell out at the highest price very quickly.

Looking through the Parker Guide, one notices that Château Latour, from the Bordeaux region, has achieved the highest rating six times.