A new Guinness World Record was set today, for the most expensive bottle of white wine ever sold. The bottle of 1811 Château d'Yquem was sold by London fine and rare wine specialists, The Antique Wine Company, to the wine connoisseur and private collector Christian Vanneque for £75,000.
Vanneque does not intend to enjoy his extravagant purchase, instead it will be put on display at his new restaurant in Bali.
The 1811 Chateau d'Yquem is prized as one of the greatest wines in the history of Bordeaux and one of the most supreme vintages ever produced. It was rated the ultimate "100 points" by respected wine critic Robert Parker and again 100 points by The Wine Spectator's Per-Henrik Mansson in 1999. Before being put up for auction, the bottle was required to pass a series of rigorous checks on its authenticity, including tests on the corks, capsule, and the colour of the bottle.
But what would it actually taste like? The majority of white wines are not meant to age and will become undrinkable after only a few years.
However, the high sugar levels and natural acidity of Château d'Yquem make it one of the few exceptions to this rule. If it is stored correctly, this rare bottle could age almost indefinitely, with its quality improving over time. On the other hand, for those looking for a drink rather than an ego boost, Sainsbury are currently doing a bottle of white from their Basics range for just £2.99.