In addition to our wines, wine retailers, wine regions and grape variety lists, Wine-Searcher includes other background reference material as described below.

Wine Investment

Since the wonderful year of 1982, fine Bordeaux wines have been in the forefront of wine investment. As with every other investment, though, it pays to study the market and have a thorough understanding of past, current and likely future trends in the fine wine business. The wine investment advice page is a compilation of essential guidelines to study before investing in wine.

A large number of the investment-quality wines from Bordeaux are sold each year as 'En Primeur' (also known as wine futures). We have a record of the release prices for each year since 2004.

Top Searches

The top 100 wines searched for last month. Also note that on our wine region and grape variety detail pages, the list of wines (shown at the bottom of the pages) for each region or grape is in popularity order (i.e. based on the number of searches). This can be helpful when choosing wine and as examples, you can quickly establish the most popular Oregon wine and/or sauvignon blanc.

The Most Expensive Wines Of The World

A list of the top 50 wines which are, on average, the most expensive.

Wine Labels

A detailed look at wine laws in general, and labelling laws in particular, for the European Union, USA, France (including Burgundy, Bordeaux, Alsace and Champagne), Germany, Italy and Australia, plus general information regarding wine labels.

French Wine Classifications

Although complex, the French wine classification system – once again led by Bordeaux – provides a valuable guide to the different tiers, corresponding quality and perceived value of the wines. It is worth noting, though, that other estates and chateaux have never been classified but are regarded as equally important.

Wine Sales Tax

A guide to wine sales tax rates for different states in the US and Europe.

Other Wine Information

• Wine-Searcher's glossary of wine terms
• A list of technical wine terms which appear throughout our content pages
• A summary of spirits and liqueurs
• Robert Parker scores and how they affect wine prices
• A list of wines that feature in movies.
• What you need to know about the Hospices de Beaune Wine and where to buy it.