Why is older wine more expensive?

Answer 1

Generally, red wine is more expensive than white wine because the winemaker usually has to do more work with red wine than white wine. Reds often go into barrels whereas many white wines do not. Sauvignon blanc, riesling and pinot gris hardly ever go into oak barrels because they have more delicate flavours and the oak would overpower them. Oak barrels are actually pretty expensive, but prices vary depending on where they come from and the quality of the oak that the winemaker is happy to deal with. Plus, the wine can sit in barrels for more than a year, meaning the barrel cannot be reused the next year for the next vintage of reds... more expense again. Reds generally will age for longer (although there are a few long-lived whites out there, that's for sure!) which also increases their value. Reds also take more hands-on work, such as hand plunging of the skins to increase depth and intensity of colour and flavour in the wine when it is fermenting.

Answer 2

Older wine tastes better than new wine because the older wines have had a chance to ferment and as a result the sweetness of the wine increases. Another reason could be that they have been ages in barrels and have absorbed some of the oak flavor.

Answer 3

Rarity and quality. If you produce just one bottle of absolutely stupendous wine, the price will be out of sight.

Answer 4

Brandy is not always more expensive, but the reason is because it goes through additional processes when being made, and is aged longer.

Answer 5

Older wine isn't necessarily more expensive.

Answer 6

To improve the flavor. Some French wines, in particular, are so tannic that they can't be drunk until the tannins break down and the wine becomes palatable.