1979

What we would buy, and why

This is the value year of the decade: 1979 Bordeaux does much of what 1978 does at roughly two-thirds of the price, so the money goes further. For a celebration rather than a dinner, buy the Champagne — a 1979 from a great house is remarkable, and old Champagne wins over people who think they do not like it. With any Champagne of this age, insist on evidence of proper cellaring, a clean unstained label and a firm cork.

1979 in the world

Sony put the first Walkman on sale on 1 July 1979: no speaker, no record button, and two headphone sockets so you could listen with a friend.

Best bets for 1979

• Château Léoville-Barton, Gruaud-Larose or Pichon-Lalande 1979 — €180–320
• Dom Pérignon 1979 — €400–650 and still surprisingly lively
• Krug 1979 for a landmark occasion — €700–1,100
• Barolo 1979 from a traditional house — softer than the 1978s and better value at €150–300

How we grade a bottle

Fill level, label, capsule and cork, then provenance. Every bottle is checked by hand by people who have handled thousands of old bottles, and we write down the flaws as well as the good news. What the fill levels mean · How to choose a birth-year wine