ROYALTY

You can’t outspend them so don’t try, but know that they will look at the label on the bottle (though for price or for

character is anyone’s guess).

1. CUVÉE PRESTIGE OR TÊTE DE CUVÉE

These wines are the best of the best sparkling that Champagne houses produce, often all Grand Cru fruit and made only in years where weather permits. For example, Cristal is the prestige cuvée of the house Louis Roederer, while Dom Pérignon is the prestige cuvée of the house Moët & Chandon. Try this 100% sparkling Chardonnay that delivers insane elegance and the right amount of toast vintage after vintage:

Tattinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, $200

2. BORDEAUX

Historically considered, and still often by many, the benchmark of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, these wines are storied and romantic, unique and exceptional. However, global interest and cult status has raised prices drastically over the last decades, leaving the classified wines of the region out of, say, the daily drinking category. Try one of my favorite second growths:

Château Léoville-Poyferré, $125

3. BAROLO

“The King of Wines”. Barolo has long been hailed as the greatest wine of a country where many great wines are produced. Made entirely from the Nebbiolo grape in Piedmont, in Northwest Italy, these wines are huge, powerful and tannic yet refined and elite. Definitely worth the hype.

Massolino Barolo, Serralunga d’Alba, $50