Dom Pérignon is a famous brand of vintage champagne that is made by the French winery, Moët & Chandon. Both names are extremely famous and well respected not only in the fine wine community, but by all who have ever gotten the privilege of tasting some of their wines. The history of Dom Pérignon can be traced all the way back to the late 1600’s where a Benedictine monk of the same name pioneered the art of sparkling champagne making. Today the brand is famous, and their bottles produced in 1921 are some of the most sought after wine bottles.
The reason 1921 Dom Pérignon bottles are so sought after, rare, and expensive is because that was they year that the company produced its first vintage. This year marked the first bottles of wine that were produced under the Dom Pérignon brand name, however they were not released to consumers until 1936, as the wine had to age first. Given the nature of the 1921 bottles, it is no surprise why this wine is so valuable.
A bottle of this wine from the first vintage can fetch anywhere between $1,000 dollars to $24,000 dollars at auctions. The reason there is such range is because of the quality. If you have a bottle of this wine and it is cracked, was not stored properly, air got to the wine, has a damaged cork, or a variety of other defects than it will fetch on the lower side of that amount. Essentially if the contents of the bottle are compromised, it looses value. However if you do have a bottle that was stored correctly and in great condition, good enough condition that one can drink it, then you probably have an expensive bottle of wine on your hands. I would imagine that wine collectors and purchasers of these bottles face the conundrum of either drinking the wine, or saving it. On one hand you get to tastes some of the best, finely aged champagne there is while on the other you hold on to your investment. What would you do?
Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Dom Perignon
