Why are some wines expensive?
By Mary Malik
Have you ever wondered why some wines are so expensive? What makes some cost so much more than others? According to Jim Sperk of the Northern Ohio Wine Guild, several factors affect the cost of wine.
“The first element that impacts the cost of wine is the grapes,” Jim says. “Some of the premier California wine-producing areas such as Howell Mountain, Atlas Peak, Diamond Mountain and others are difficult to farm. It’s difficult to plant, train the vines and harvest the grapes on the hillsides in these areas.”
Jim adds that the growing season is also longer, and the grape yield is lower. However, the extended growing season allows the sugars and acids in the grapes to develop more fully, resulting in more concentrated grapes and an ultimate improvement in the taste of the final product.
“Another factor is the aging of the wine,” Jim says. “A French oak barrel can cost $2,000. Aging in oaks adds nuances of vanilla, cloves and spices while mellowing the wine and increasing the complexity. While the wine ages in oak for one to two years, the winery is not making money. The barrels also take up space and increase the overhead costs.”
Nature also affects the cost of wine. Weather and natural disasters have a big impact on grape production which, in turn, affects the cost of your bottle.
“In recent years, wildfires in California, France and Australia have impacted the cost of wine,” Jim says. “Many wineries have lost all or parts of their vineyards and smoke-tainted grapes cannot be used, certainly not in high-quality wines.”
The real question is, do expensive wines deliver more taste and more enjoyment? The answer to that lies with the individual drinker, but generally the answer is “yes.”
“But, are the expensive wines 10 times better than the average wine?” Jim asks. “Probably not, but maybe five to six times better. Even the casual wine drinker should discern the difference.”
For information about the Northern Ohio Wine Guild, contact Jim Sperk at tinymoonwines@usa.net.