If there ever was a brand we’d trust to launch their own wine, it would be Sotheby’s. In 2018 alone, Sotheby’s amassed over $100M in live auction sales of some of the finest and rarest wines in the world. Now, their retail arm, Sotheby’s Wine, has just launched Sotheby’s Own, bringing us world-class wines at affordable prices. Sotheby’s Own taps the team’s deep relationships across the world, from Bordeaux to Sonoma — and every bottle costs less than $40.
Finding value in the world’s most coveted wine regions isn’t easy. Sotheby’s Own does the legwork for us, curating a selection of their favorite reasonably-priced bottles. For example, the lineup includes their best-selling everyday red Bordeaux, a $24.95 Haut Médoc produced by Chateau Maucamps. It also includes their #2 bestselling wine in the store, a chalky, mineral-driven Sancerre made by the Dézat family.
We also like that Sotheby’s Own relies on multiple authorities to taste its wines. In a world where seemingly everyone is launching their own “expertly curated” wines, the justification for any wine selection must be compelling. For example, the Sotheby’s 2017 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir by LIOCO was actually the “overwhelming favorite” in an onsite blind tasting. And Sotheby’s vouches for the 2018 Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore Brut as literally “the best we have tasted”. This is not a statement used lightly in the wine industry.
“Buying wine can be intimidating. Finding wines that are typical of their region at attractive prices can be challenging. Our team has the passion, knowledge, and winemaker relationships to select wines that are classic examples of the region,” said Sotheby’s Wine Chairman James Ritchie. Moreover, he notes that the wines “are ready for immediate drinking. They are made for always being on hand, to be served to whoever stops by.”
With this eye towards the reality of everyday drinking needs, Sotheby’s Own promises compelling value for many drinkers. It also adds a welcome dimension of approachable, accessible wines to their New York City retail location. Sotheby’s Wine first opened in 2010, and now sells an extensive range of highly-coveted wines, from the elusive Scarecrow to Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Grand Cru. Learn more at sothebyswine.com.