Buying Special Wines

If you are like me, you see ads all the time and maybe receive emails as well trying to entice you to buy special wines. They might talk about highly-rated special vintages of special wines that are difficult to find. And, for that dual dose of special, you might have to pay special money.

Should you? Is it worth it? Likely, it depends on who you are, how discriminating you are, and how large your wallet is. For most of us, and I am sorry to tell you this after all the money that you or I have spent on getting that better wine, the answer is no. Not maybe, but no. 

We spent time over the last several days with a dear friend who we had not seen for a while. This friend is pretty discriminating about wine. And, within the last year, she had the opportunity on somebody else's wallet to enjoy a 1982 Chateau Lafite.

1982. Left bank. One of the most legendary vintages ever. First growth Bordeaux. Discriminating palate.

I think she described the wine as interesting ... good.

Now, you might find better prices at auctions, but otherwise, you would likely pay over $3,000 to pick yourself up a bottle. For interesting ... good. 

Some of us fall into different categories. Some of us, not including your author, have really deep pockets. And, some of us have exceptionally discriminating palates. How discriminating? $3,000 worth?

My advice is to set a limit on what you will pay for a bottle and try to not exceed 70% of that even for a special bottle. Unless, of course, you really can tell the difference and that difference is such that it is worth that level of money to you. But, when the wine just isn't worth that extre money, remember that I told you so.