VinoLoverThe world of wine is growing every day and with it, the rarity of certain brands or types that are considered a mythological work, such as the unicorns of wine. Varieties of this mythical beverage that have really managed to arouse the interest of many fans of the sector.
However, there are many things we do not know about this type of wines, such as why they are considered this way, what is so special about them, why they are said to be like bubbles in the wine sector, and many more questions that we simply must study in order to be able to provide a correct answer.
For this reason, we have decided to create this post in order to educate wine lovers like you about everything you need to know before buying a unicorn wine, if you manage to find such a rarity! Let’s start!
What are wine unicorns?
Well, let’s start with the definition of what the name of this mysterious product means, and that is that they are all those wines that have simply been discontinued at some point in history, the creator of their brand has disappeared or as a result of other factors that we will mention later.
We also refer to wines that are very difficult to find and that, beyond their price, getting a bottle of them is like getting gold on the market, which you may never buy again.
In addition, they also stand out for the rarity of their bottle, which generally tends to be “special” over the other collections produced by the brand or brands responsible for their birth. This not only makes them unique in terms of taste, but their bottle is also a spectacle for the buyer.
What must a wine possess to be considered a unicorn wine?
As you will see, it is a product that stands out for its beauty, rarity and extraordinary history. However, there are a series of requirements that sommeliers from all over the world have established for a “unicorn wine” to be considered as such. Do you want to know what they are? We will mention them below!
Production of less than 200 cases per vintage
This has a lot to do with what we mentioned above. In order for a wine to be considered a unicorn, one of the main criteria is that it has not been mass-produced.
Therefore, those wines that are considered “limited edition” today, , will become unicorns in the future when there are only a few copies left on sale or on the market.
It must generate a sensation of pleasure when it is uncorked or opened
When we buy something strange, fascinating, mythical and expensive, it usually creates a feeling of attachment that does not allow us to proceed with its consumption immediately.
Sommeliers say that when a wine generates this sensation when it is uncorked, you can be sure that you are in the presence of a true unicorn wine. Enjoy the contents of the bottle for as long as it lasts! You may not find another one for a long time or ever.
It will never have a set price for its acquisition
It is a factor that you should bear in mind, and that is that unicorn wines will never have a fixed price as they are considered members of a mythological group in the world of wines.
We are not saying that they will be the most expensive editions or products you will find in this branch of beverages, but we can tell you that you may have to pay a high sum of money to acquire them. However, you can be sure that it will be worth the experience. Come on! You only live once.
The winemaker or his creator is no longer alive or is retired from the world of wine
Winemakers are the professionals responsible for bringing that unique taste and special touch that characterises each vintage or wine production. That is to say, they are in charge of directing the winemaking process of each wine, so its taste and success will always be credited to the reputation of the winemaker who made it.
But, when the winemaker dies and has built a well-established reputation in the wine industry, all his existing wines automatically become unicorns. This can increase their value and even make them more coveted on the market.
It is necessary that it does not appear in any wine search engine
Although this is a factor that, nowadays, is no longer considered essential, many still take it into account to define unicorn wines.
The fact that they do not appear in any kind of web browser or wine search engine means that, in effect, we are dealing with a rare and almost extinct edition.
What is the quality of unicorn wines?
Another thing to keep in mind is that unicorn wines will be of very different styles, types, years, vintages, bottling, body, flavours and aromas. That is to say, it doesn’t matter if it is a sparkling wine, a rosé wine, a young wine, a red wine or a white wine, all of them can be considered unicorn wines if they fulfil the requirements detailed above.
But one thing we must tell you is that, in general, unicorn wines always tend to be unique in taste and are usually recognised in the wine sector. So, you should know that they are good quality wines and that at some point they have been highly valued by critics.
Why have unicorn wines become so popular?
As we mentioned in the title of this post, unicorn wines are like bubbles in the wine sector, which means that they are highly sought after by lovers of mystical and rare drinks in the market.
It’s a fact, people like what is exclusive and what almost nobody else can get! So the search for wine unicorns is getting more and more intense. Everyone wants to have access to a bottle, either to show off, to taste or simply to share with those closest to them.
The truth is that we don’t know exactly why these wines have become so popular worldwide, but what we do know is that once you uncork your bottle of unicorn wine, you will probably never find another one, unless you become a wine unicorn hunter!
How much does a unicorn wine cost?
This is something we briefly clarified above, and that is that unicorn wines rarely have a fixed price between one and another, which can vary greatly! Either by:
- The winery by which it was made.
- The winemaker has a long history and considerable reputation in the wine industry.
- The vintage is one of a kind.
- The level of exclusivity of the collection.
- Type of bottle.
- Type of wine.
We cannot tell you the fixed price per bottle of a unicorn wine, but we do recommend that you take these factors into consideration when making your purchase.
Which wineries produce this wine?
Well, there are many in fact, although this is not one of the factors that determine the dominance of a bottle. But, the most known for having unicorn wines on the market are the following:
- Jacques + Selosse Winery.
- Bruyere + Houillon Winery.
- Winery Philine Isabelle.
- Winery Clos + Rougeard.
- Aurelien + Lefort winery.
Now that you know all about unicorn wines, do you feel like picking up a bottle to taste a glass of their exceptional product? We know you won’t regret it! And we wish you the best of luck in your search process, believe us, it will be necessary for you!
VinoLover
Claudio Comella
