It has been a great time for wine connoisseurs as they drove to buy a vintage one which dates back to 1774 at an auction in eastern France on May 26. Vin Jaune (yellow wine) was sold for a record of 103,700 euros (over Rs. 81 lakhs) to Canadians. The 244-year-old bottle was measured as 87 centilitre bottles and the wine were made from grapes harvested during the reign of Louis XVI of France. Comes from the eastern Jura region, the yellow wine was made by winemaker Anatoile Vercel. Vine Jaune was not the only one at the auction, it stands graciously with two other bottles which were made at the same time and each of them raised 76,250 euros (over Rs. 60 lakhs) and 73,200 (over Rs. 57 lakhs) euros respectively.

Lons-le-Saunier’s auctioneer Brigitte Fenaux informed AFP news that this year the bid went to an unexpected level as compared to last record in 2011 which was sold for 57,000. Fenaux told, “I never though the bottles would sell for so much.” The wine bottles are believed to be among the oldest existing wines in the world. Answering to who the buyers were, the auctioneer said in the same report, that they were Canadians and someone who used to purchase wine for Americans with links to France.

“There were wine makers in the room who applauded, who were happy, it was moving,” said Fenaux. Vin Jaune is a type of white wine which are still made in the Jura region in eastern France. It is made from the Savagnin grape with some premium add on coming from the marl-based vineyards which results as rich beautiful golden yellow colour. Connoisseurs were invited to the tasting of the same Vin Jaune which was organised in 1994. Reportedly, around 24 experts attended and at that rated the wine a 9.4 out of 10 and said it tasted as of “nuts, spices, curry, cinnamon, vanilla and dried fruits.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 28, 2018 12:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).