Anniversary wines

Guide to Choosing a Birthday Wine

1. The Importance of the Vintage

A birthday wine is often selected to commemorate a special year, such as a birth, wedding, or another significant event. The quality of the wine largely depends on the vintage, or the year the grapes were harvested. Some vintages are considered exceptional due to favorable weat...

Guide to Choosing a Birthday Wine

1. The Importance of the Vintage

2. Choosing the Region Based on the Success of the Vintage

Bordeaux: Bordeaux wines are known for their ability to age for decades. For birth or wedding years, look for outstanding vintages like 2000, 2005, 2009, or 2010, which are often still at their peak.
Burgundy: Burgundy wines, especially Grand Crus, can offer a memorable experience. Exceptional vintages include 1999, 2002, 2005, and 2015.
Champagne: For a sparkling celebration, choose a vintage Champagne. Years like 1996, 2002, 2008, and 2012 are perfect for an effervescent wine that symbolizes joy and elegance.
Rhône Valley: Wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Côte-Rôtie from vintages such as 1998, 2007, and 2015 are renowned for their richness and longevity.
Italy (Tuscany, Piedmont): For an Italian wine, opt for vintages like 1997, 2004, or 2010, which are excellent for Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, and Chianti Classico.

3. The Symbolism of the Year

Beyond the quality of the vintage, a birthday wine carries significant symbolism. Drinking a wine from the year of birth or marriage creates an emotional connection to the past and allows one to relive the memories of that particular year.

4. How to Choose a Wine Based on the Event

Birth of a Child: To celebrate a child’s birth, select a wine from the corresponding vintage, ideally one that can be stored until they turn 18 or 21.
Wedding Anniversary: A wine from the year of the wedding makes a romantic and meaningful gift, perfect for commemorating the event.
Milestone Celebrations: For a milestone celebration (50th, 60th birthday), choose a wine from the year of the original event or a memorable vintage.

5. Tips for Buying Birthday Wines

Check the Bottle Condition: Ensure the wine has been properly stored.
Ask the Experts: Don't hesitate to ask us for advice. We're here to help you select the best wine based on the vintage and region.

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In this section, you will find a wide choice of gift ideas for a birthday for the 60 or 70 years.

You can also make your own gift box by searching on our site for all the bottles from the 1941 or 1951 vintage and selecting the box of your choice.

Do not hesitate to contact us also if you are looking for a specific bottle of this vintage. We will be happy to help you find this bottle.
1964

Best wines from the vintage 1964:

Extraordinary wines : Château Petrus 1964

Outstanding wines: Giacomo Conterno Barolo 1964, Vega Sicilia Unico 1964, Château Cheval Blanc 1964

Great wines: Barbaresco Angelo Gaja 1964, Richebourg 1964 domaine de la Romanée Conti, Château Figeac 1964, Hermitage la Chapelle 1964 Jaboulet, Château Latour 1964
1974

A very abundant harvest but less so than 1973.

Reds (Bordeaux): good quality. The 1974s are harder than the 1973s and should be consumed.

Whites(Bordeaux): this rainy and mediocre year produced some pleasant, albeit light and poorly structured wines that are also lacking in sweetness.

Most of the prestigious Sauternes growth were not estate-bottled. Limited ageing potential.

Best wines from the vintage 1974:

Outsanding wines: Heitz Martha’s Vineyard 1974.

Great wines: Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino 1974, Vega Sicilia Unico 1974, Ridge Monte Bello, Barolo Monprivato Guiseppe Mascarello 1974.
1984

Best wines from the vintage 1984:

Great wines: Ridge Monte Bello 1984, Penfolds grange 1984, Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Martha’s Vineyard, Dominus 1984.
1994

In Bordeaux, the red wines are nicely coloured but slightly austere. The Merlot-domainated wines of the Libourne region fared well, as this grape-variety was favoured.

In California, 1994 is a vintage of great uniformity and prodigious quality for Cabernet Sauvignons, which are approachable, exceptionally aromatic, wonderfully sweet and riche, but neighter heavy nor cumbersome.

Best wines from the vintage 1994:

Extraordinary wines: Harlan Estate 1994, Zind-Humbrechet Tokay Pinot Gris Clos Heimbourg Selection de Grains Nobles 1994, Clos Erasmus 1994, Chapoutier Hermitage Vin de Paille 1994.

Outstanding wines: L'Ermita 1994 Alvaro Palacios, Cote Rotie La Landonne Guigal 1994, Dominus Proprietary Red Wine 1994.
2004

In Bordeaux, only Châteaux that severly cropthinned and made strict selection produced very good wines.

Best wines from the vintage 2004:

Extraordinary wines : Chapoutier Ermitage l'Ermite 2004 (blanc), Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino 2004, Pingus 2004, Standish Shiraz / Viognier The Relic 2004.

Outsanding wines: Torbreck Run Rig 2004, Jim Barry The Armagh 2004, Harlan Estate 2004, Penfolds grange 2004, Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili (Red Label Riserva) 2004, Amarone Dal Forno 2004.