The oldest wine in the world is believed to be the Speyer Wine Bottle which has been dated as far back as 325 - 350 AD.
The bottle remains unopened with the liquid inside only surviving because of how well sealed the bottle was by the Romans who made it.
7 Oldest Wines In The World
1. Speyer Wine
We’ve mentioned that the oldest wine in the world is called the Speyer Wine Bottle and has been traced back to the Roman empire. Makes your 25 year old bottle of Tawny Port look like a spring chicken in comparison.
2. Strasbourg Wine
Next up, the Strasbourg Wine Barrel dates back to 1472. Located in the wine cellar under the Strasbourg city hospital, the barrel is marked with the date 1472 and believe it or not the wine is still drinkable.
3. Tokaji
A bottle of Tokaji from the Royal Saxon Cellars has been dated back to the years 1650 - 1690 and is believed to be the oldest intact bottle of Hungarian Tokaji wine in the world. Quite the claim to fame.
4. Rüdesheimer Apostelwein
Meanwhile in Germany the Rüdesheimer Apostelwein is a bottle of wine from Bremen which has been dated back to 1727. The wine is currently valued at $200 000 and is considered to be one of the rarest wines in existence.
5. Massandra Sherry de la Frontera
An exquisitely rare bottle of Massandra Sherry de la Frontera has been dated back to 1775 and recently sold at auction for $43 500, making it the most expensive bottle of Sherry in the world.
6. Chateau Margeaux in France
The reputation of Chateau Margeaux in France is something to behold, and its oldest bottle of wine dates back to the year 1787.
It is known as the most expensive bottle of wine that was never sold, the prized bottle was sadly dropped and broken at a party held by its owners.
7. Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1787
Last, but not least, a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1787 is officially the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold at $156,450 and rumour has it that the wine once belonged to Thomas Jefferson himself.
Summary
And there we have it!
The oldest wine bottles in the history of winemaking.
Hopefully now you feel less precious about opening a bottle of something you’ve been keeping for a mere couple of years. It's always best to make sure you can enjoy your wine yourself at its best, after all.
Author:
Philip Thompson
Philip is the General Manager at Expert Wine Storage, and is very knowledgable about all things relating to wine and wine storage, including wine fridges. He is regularly featured in media outlets sharing his knowledge on wine.
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Bob Stern
July 18, 2024
Perhaps the fifth oldest wine known is always missing from these lists is the 1715 "Terratez’ (Terrantez) Madeira Wine. The best known is marked "J.C.A. & C. (João Carlos Aguilar & Co.). There are a number of other early 18th century Madeiras that are known and authentic, well before the 1770’s/1780’s. All are drinkable and most are incredible.