Is a $250 Splurge on a Bottle of Wine Worth It?

A normal wine splurge for me is $25, so when I actually spent ten times that amount on a bottle of wine, I was either temporarily insane or I had something really special to celebrate (it ended up being the latter!). Regardless, was the wine worth the cost and would I ever do it again? Read on to find out!

The most I have ever spent on a bottle of wine was $250, and I actually did it twice, … for the exact same wine! What possessed me to spend that kind of money on a bottle of fizzy fermented grape juice, and was it really worth it in the end? A bit of background first before I answer those two questions.

The wine was a 2012 Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne, one of the best wines in the world. Some of the older vintages of special Cristal Champagne bottlings sell for over $2,500. The first bottling of this wine was in1876 and created for the Tsar Alexander II of Russia. It’s the flagship wine for Louis Roederer, a French Champagne producer – they also produce sparkling wines as the Roederer Estate in Anderson Valley north of San Francisco. In both cases, my wife Laurie and I were celebrating significant events in our lives that brought us much joy and happiness and that were certainly worthy of a wine splurge!

But was it worth it? Absolutely, and here’s why. First, the wine was one of the best I have ever tasted so that alone made it worth it. It was, in a word, perfection! Meticulously crafted, it was elegant and perfectly balanced with tight acidity, delicate effervescence, notes of citrus fruit, and brioche scents on the nose. Cristal did not disappoint!

Most importantly, it was worth it because the wine made the moment and the moment made the wine.

Also, drinking wines at this price point is something I don’t do often. In fact, I think twice before spending $25 or $30 on a bottle of wine and consider it a splurge when I do. Taking a rare opportunity to taste a world-class wine at this price point was both incredibly exciting and educational. But most importantly, it was worth it because the wine made the moment, and the moment made the wine. Meaning, our celebration was made more memorable and special because we were enjoying one of the great wines of the world as we celebrated; and the joy and excitement of the occasion enhanced our enjoyment of the wine and created an unforgettable memory for both of us.

So, here’s my bottom line. From time-to-time life presents us with occasions that are worthy of a special celebration, and too often we let them pass by without giving them their proper due. These occasions can be big life changing ones (like getting married, having your first child, or retiring) or smaller but still significant ones (like finally hitting a goal you set for yourself, or nailing a big presentation for an important client at work). When these occasions happen, I’d encourage you to consider splurging a bit and taking the time to celebrate with a special bottle of wine. The splurge might be for a $250 bottle of wine, or a $25 bottle wine. The price is not the point; instead, it’s about elevating the celebration and the moment with a great wine that is new and unique to you and that will make the occasion unforgettable.

If you are looking for a wine that can give Roederer Cristal a run for its money but costs a couple of hundred dollars less, here are two splurge-worthy sparkling wine rivals: Roederer Estate Brut Multi Vintage ($28) and Roederer Estate L’Ermitage ($55).

Finally, I’d like to hear your stories about when you splurged on a really great wine – what were you celebrating, what wine did you celebrate with, and was it worth it?!