Fine wines are considered the highest end, rare and super-premium wines and typically the most expensive. There are many controversial opinions and standards that apply to what is considered fine wines. Wines that are produced by outstanding vintages around the world have come to be known as fine wines and wines that are specifically produced to celebrate significant events in a country or region also becomes an object of collectibles due to the labeling design. Most of these labels are printed in gold and are produced in small quantities

The definition of the word ‘Fine’ on multiple levels stems from on the word ‘Excellence’ that can mean superior in kind, quality, or appearance. However one person's perceived version of quality different from another's. In the context of wine, some of the more elaborate terms that are used in a merchant's tasting notes include class, breed, authority, aristocracy and polish.

Ratings for wine is by far one of the easiest and globally acknowledge way to define whether the wine is considered as fine vintage wine to a mere table wine. The infamous Bordeaux classification formulated for the Paris exhibition of 1855 is the principal that still remains as the determining factor in pricing of wines. However it was still left to individuals to offer their own periodic assessments, this was highly encouraged by the Syndicat des Crus Classes or also known as the Club 1855. Chateu names are followed by a star rating up to a maximum of five, based on the general consensus to their performance over the last 20 years. Following this, an American wine critic, Robert Parker began rating some of the best wines in 1980, with a maximum rating of 'outstanding' or 90+ to indicate a 'fine wine.'

Below are some basic criteria that you can incorporate yourself to judge the quality of wines. These four main criteria’s are the defining factors used by top winemakers in the world to label their vintage bottles.

Balance:
A wine must be equal or greater than the sum of its parts. No one particular component should dominate the taste, for example a wine shouldn’t be too fruity or too acidic. A wine's balance may come into question while it is still young, however when it improves with age, fine wines must strike a balance of what should still be evident in youth.

 Length:
The wine experience must not be too fleeting; it should be lingering in a positive manner.

Complexity:
The wine must have many facets so that the overall experience is not too straightforward or evident right away, it should have a changing and somewhat mysterious side to it which makes it more fascinating and rewarding than most wine.

Typicity:
The wine should reflect the highest achievements from within its particular region and style.

From the above criteria, you can basically come to a somewhat basic or loose definition of 'fine wine'. Having said that we should take into consideration that wine isn’t an exact science, and as people’s tastes and preference matures or changes over time and generations there should always be room for progress and flexibility

Article from www.wine-blog.net.