The drink of choice for a toast, champagne is most commonly enjoyed on special occasions such as weddings or anniversaries. With that said, many also enjoy it on a day-to-day basis―after all, it’s nice to celebrate the simple pleasures in life, right?
In fact, that might actually be a good thing, seeing as how champagne has many known health benefits. Not only does it contain the same antioxidants asked and white wine, that help to improve heart health, but studies have also shown that it has a beneficial effect on short-term memory. Fewer calories than other alcoholic drinks, it’s also known for boosting mood―which is mainly an effect of its magnesium and potassium contents.
As you probably already know, however, champagne, like most alcoholic beverages, can be quite pricey. Though you can easily grab a bottle for under $20 at your local liquor store, some fancier ones can cost upwards of a few thousand dollars, if not more! In fact, a particular bottle of champagne sold for nearly $2 million in 2013!
What are some of the world’s most expensive champagnes? What makes them so different from other varieties? Are they worth the price tag? We’ll be taking a look at ten of them below, be sure to stick around if you’re interested.
#10: Veuve Clicquot Yellowboam Ostrich Limited – $1,600 per bottle
Luxurious and classy, the Yellowboam from Veuve Clicquot features the champagne house’s signature house style with a blend of 50 to 60 different crus. Recognized by the color of its label alone, it is not only sealed with a foil that is covered in 22.4-carat gold, but comes with a collectable 24-carat gold-plated cap―one that is engraved with Madam Clicquot’s own signature. Limited edition, only 3,200 bottles of this champagne was ever made.
According to the champagne house, the 3L bottle plays a big role in its development as the larger format allows for the wine to be conserved for longer periods of time. If you want to add this to your collection, it will easily set you back at least $1,600.
#9: Dom Pérignon Rosé 1998 – $12,000 per bottle
Noted for its floral and fruit aromas, this champagne is designed by David Lynch―aka “the most important director of this era” as described by The Guardian. Responsible for the films Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, as well as for the television series Twin Peaks, he had carefully put together this beverage in 1998.
In addition to having designed a standard bottle, the filmmaker also designed ten Jeroboams (a large-format wine bottle size), one of which sold for more than $11,000.
#8: Shipwrecked Champagne – $14,000 per bottle
In the 19th century, over a hundred bottles of champagne were lost at sea―likely from a trade ship. Ultimately, it wasn’t until 170 years later, that they were found by divers 50 meters beneath the Baltic Sea. Interestingly enough, due to the cold and dark conditions of the water, several of them were unusually preserved. Following the discovery, researchers were quick to examine the bottles’ contents. According to Professor Jeandet, one of the ones who did the chemical analysis, it had the flavours of tobacco and leather.
A year later, a few bottles of the shipwrecked champagne sold for tens of thousands of euros.
#7: Krug 1928 – $21,000 per bottle
From an excellent vintage, this bottle is considered by experts to be one of the greatest Champagnes ever made. A legendary wine, the blend was created by none other than Joseph Krug, the great-grandfather of Olivier Krug―who is the sixth generation of the founding family. Allegedly, the ideal weather of 1928 played a huge role in the champagne’s exquisite taste.
Part of the Krug Collection range, a bottle sold at the Acker Merrall & Condit’s first Hong Kong auction for approximately $21,000 USD. Unfortunately, at that price point, it’d be hard for the average person to get ahold of.
#6: 1959 Dom Perignon – Approx. $42,000 per bottle
In 1971, several bottles of the first vintage of Dom Perignon Rose were served at the 2500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire. Ordered by the Shah of Iran, they were served chilled at the lavish festivities at Persepolis. Reportedly, only 300 bottles of the champagne were ever produced, most of which were never officially sold.
In 2008, two of those legendary bottles made its way into a New York auction held by Acker Merrill & Condit. In the end, they were sold for a whopping $84,700!
#5: 1820 Juglar Cuvee – $43,500 per bottle
Shipwrecked nearly two centuries ago, the 1820 Juglar Cuvee (along with others) was discovered by Swedish divers in the Baltic Sea in 2010. Though the exact vintage of this champagne is unknown, many experts agree that it is most likely from the early 19th century―making the bottle over 200 years old.
Despite the fact that it came encrusted with barnacles on the surface (undoubtedly due to the many years that it spent under the water), it sold for $43,500 in 2009, which set a new record for the most expensive bottle of shipwrecked champagne.
#4: Dom Perignon Rose Gold Methuselah – $49,000 per bottle
The finest of champagnes, the rose gold edition of the Dom Perignon 1996 vintage comes in a stunningly beautiful, gold encrusted bottle. Awarded an outstanding 97 points by wine critic Robert Parker, only 35 bottles were produced, making it incredibly sought-after and rare.
Produced by the French winery Moët et Chandon, the blend’s color has been described as being “copper pink with shades of gold and amber.” In 2010, a bottle was sold at a VIP after-show party for an alleged $49,000. To this day, it is believed to be the most expensive bottle of champagne ever sold at a bar.
#3: Armand de Brignac 2011 (15L) – $90,000 per bottle
Produced by The Cattier family, the Armand de Brignac is aged in a special, gated section of the cellars, which is located 119 steps beneath the surface. A real treat, it has been described as marvellously complex and full-bodied, with fresh and light floral notes. Deliciously creamy, with a long, silky finish, it has a “sumptuous fruit character that is perfectly blended with the champagne’s subtle brioche accents” on the palate.
In the summer of 2011, Mark Cuban spent $90,000 on a 15L bottle in celebration of Dallas Mavericks’ championship in the NBA.
#2: Armande de Brigand Rose (30L) 2013 – $275,000 per bottle
Noted for its beautiful salmon color―which comes from the inclusion of still red wine, the Armand de Brignac Rose was first introduced in 2008. Several years later, it was announced that a groundbreaking 30-litre “Midas” bottle would be released, one that is equivalent to 40 regular sized 750ml bottles. At over four feet high and 100 pounds, it is easily one of the world’s largest bottle of champagne ever produced!
Uncorked at Hakkasan Las Vegas at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, it is listed on the menu for a staggering $275,000! Considering the fact that there are only a limited number of bottles produced, it’s really not all too surprising.
#1: Taste of Diamonds 2013 – $1.8 Million
Designed by Alexander Amosu, a highly acclaimed luxury designer, Goût de Diamants’ Taste of Diamonds currently holds the spot of being the world’s most expensive bottle of champagne. Custom-made for one of his private clients (whose identity has not been revealed to the public), the bottle comes with the brand’s logo, which is handcrafted from 18-carat solid gold. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, the logo is also encrusted with 19-carat diamond. If anything, it’s hefty $1.8 million price tag reflects the diamond and packaging more than the actual beverage itself.
