Corkonomics

The economics of wine production, collection, and vineyards

CorkonomicsThe economics of wine production, collection, and vineyards
The numbers
Vineyard land · Pauillac≈$2,798,250 a hectare▼ down 17% on 20232024Opening price · Château Lafite Rothschild 2025≈$376 a bottle▲ up 17% on the year beforeSold at auction · Romanée-Conti Grand Cru, DRC 2019$22,917 a bottleSotheby's, Sep 2026Cost to make one bottle · Burgundy grand cru (Pinot Noir)$48–283US duty on wine from · Canada+50%since Aug 2026Everyday bottle in a US shop$13.77 a litre▼ down 1.3% in a yearSep 2026Vineyard land · Margaux≈$1,567,020 a hectare▼ down 7% on 20232024Opening price · Château Cheval Blanc 2025≈$376 a bottle▲ up 22% on the year beforeSold at auction · La Tâche Grand Cru, DRC 2018$5,417 a bottleSotheby's, Sep 2026Cost to make one bottle · Champagne prestige cuvée$26–89US duty on wine from · Australia+12.5%since Jul 2026Vineyard land · Côte-Rôtie≈$1,511,055 a hectare▲ up 8% on 20232024Opening price · Château Mouton Rothschild 2025≈$336 a bottle▲ up 19% on the year beforeSold at auction · Richebourg Grand Cru, DRC 2012$3,542 a bottleSotheby's, Sep 2026Cost to make one bottle · Bordeaux classified growth (2nd–5th)$17–61US duty on wine from · New Zealand+12.5%since Jul 2026Vineyard land · Côte de Nuits grand cru≈$7,275,450 a hectare2019Opening price · Château Palmer 2025≈$268 a bottle▼ down 19% on the year beforeVineyard land · Pomerol≈$2,238,600 a hectare2023
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New to wine? Start with the short lessons, then look up any word you do not know.

Learn · Wine words · Your saved pages

Grapes

Most of what you taste in a glass comes from the grape. Here are the ones worth knowing: how each one tastes, how to say it, and where it grows best.

Ripe dark grapes hanging on the vine

Six to know first

From lightest to boldest red, then two whites. Together they cover most wine lists.

The dot shows whether the grape makes red or white wine. Body is how heavy the wine feels. Tannin is the dry grip you get from strong tea. Acidity is the mouth-watering freshness of lemonade. How to taste wine →

Pinot Noir

Say it: PEE-noh NWAHR

The light, silky red. Pale in the glass, full of red fruit, never heavy.

Body
LightFull
Tannin
SoftGrippy
Acidity
SoftZingy
  • Cherry
  • Raspberry
  • Mushroom

Merlot

Say it: mer-LOH

The soft, easy red. Plummy and smooth, with less grip than Cabernet.

Body
LightFull
Tannin
SoftGrippy
Acidity
SoftZingy
  • Plum
  • Black cherry
  • Chocolate

Cabernet Sauvignon

Say it: cab-er-NAY so-vin-YOHN

The big, bold red. Dark, firm and built to go with a steak.

Body
LightFull
Tannin
SoftGrippy
Acidity
SoftZingy
  • Blackcurrant
  • Black cherry
  • Cedar

Syrah

Say it: sih-RAH

The dark, peppery red. Also called Shiraz, mainly in Australia.

Body
LightFull
Tannin
SoftGrippy
Acidity
SoftZingy
  • Blackberry
  • Black pepper
  • Olive

Chardonnay

Say it: shar-doh-NAY

The white that can be anything. Lean and crisp without oak, rich and buttery with it.

Body
LightFull
Acidity
SoftZingy
  • Apple
  • Lemon
  • Peach

Riesling

Say it: REES-ling

The zingy, perfumed white. It comes bone dry, lusciously sweet and everything in between.

Body
LightFull
Acidity
SoftZingy
  • Lime
  • Green apple
  • Peach

Six more to explore

The grapes behind Rioja, Chianti, Barolo, the Rhône and Champagne.

Cabernet Franc

Say it: cab-er-NAY FRAHN

The fresh, leafy red. Lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, with a lift of herbs.

Body
LightFull
Tannin
SoftGrippy
Acidity
SoftZingy
  • Raspberry
  • Red pepper
  • Violet

Grenache

Say it: gruh-NASH

The warm, generous red. Ripe strawberry fruit and a soft finish. Called Garnacha in Spain.

Body
LightFull
Tannin
SoftGrippy
Acidity
SoftZingy
  • Strawberry
  • Raspberry
  • White pepper

Nebbiolo

Say it: neb-ee-OH-loh

Looks light, tastes powerful. Pale and perfumed, with a serious grip.

Body
LightFull
Tannin
SoftGrippy
Acidity
SoftZingy
  • Rose
  • Sour cherry
  • Tar

Pinot Meunier

Say it: PEE-noh muh-NYAY

The quiet third grape of Champagne. A dark grape you nearly always drink as white bubbles.

Body
LightFull
Tannin
SoftGrippy
Acidity
SoftZingy
  • Red apple
  • Pear
  • Red berries

Sangiovese

Say it: san-joh-VAY-zeh

Italy's tangy, savoury red. Made for the dinner table.

Body
LightFull
Tannin
SoftGrippy
Acidity
SoftZingy
  • Sour cherry
  • Tomato leaf
  • Dried herbs

Tempranillo

Say it: tem-prah-NEE-yoh

Spain's smooth, savoury red. Often aged in oak until it tastes of vanilla and spice.

Body
LightFull
Tannin
SoftGrippy
Acidity
SoftZingy
  • Cherry
  • Dried fig
  • Tobacco

Not sure where to begin?

Start with the five types of wine. It takes four minutes and makes everything else easier.

The five types of wine