Young Revelers Make Sangria with $120,000 Wine

In the rarefied world of fine wines, few bottles carry the prestige and allure of Petrus. Hailing from Bordeaux's Pomerol appellation, Petrus is more than just a wine; it's a symbol of opulence, a benchmark of vinous excellence, and, for many, an investment as much as it is a pleasure. Thus, when a group of young revelers at an exclusive beach club in Cannes decided to use several bottles of Petrus 2006—valued at 12,000 euros apiece—to make a sangría, the act sparked outrage, fascination, and a heated debate across social media platforms.

The event took place at La Guérite, a posh beachside venue, during a luxury party organized by Chingon Nights. According to videos shared on Instagram, the group had purchased ten bottles of Petrus, amounting to a total expenditure of 120,000 euros. But it was the use of four of these bottles to concoct a sangría—a drink traditionally made with more modestly priced wines—that left many observers dumbfounded. The footage shows the young patrons gleefully decanting the esteemed Bordeaux into a large punch bowl filled with fruit slices and juice, transforming one of the world's most prestigious wines into what many viewed as an extravagant cocktail.

Social media users quickly reacted, with the video eliciting a mixture of shock, indignation, and incredulity. The general sentiment online was one of disapproval, with many questioning the group's appreciation—or apparent lack thereof—of the craftsmanship and heritage encapsulated in a bottle of Petrus. Critics labeled the act as wasteful, even disrespectful, to the wine and to those who produce it. Some comments hinted at the possibility that the video could be a prank or a marketing stunt, with suggestions that the wine might not have been genuine Petrus. However, regardless of the authenticity of the bottles, the uproar was undeniable.

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Enology experts also weighed in on the matter, offering insights that deepened the controversy. The consensus among these professionals is that using a wine of such caliber for sangría is not just a poor pairing, but a misunderstanding of what makes Petrus—and wines like it—so extraordinary. Aged wines like Petrus 2006 are revered for their complex profiles, often showcasing layers of nuanced flavors that develop over time. These characteristics are the result of years of meticulous cultivation, careful vinification, and patient aging. By mixing the wine with fruit juices and other ingredients, much of what makes Petrus special is overshadowed or even lost entirely. As one sommelier pointed out, sangría is best made with younger, fruit-forward wines that can harmonize with the sweetness and acidity of the other components without being overpowered.

This incident in Cannes brings to light a broader cultural debate about luxury and its role in contemporary society. On one hand, luxury goods, whether a fine wine, a designer handbag, or a sports car, are often seen as status symbols, consumed conspicuously to reflect wealth and success. The act of making sangría with Petrus could be interpreted as an extreme manifestation of this phenomenon—an ostentatious display meant to shock, provoke, or simply flaunt affluence.

Yet, luxury also carries an implicit expectation of appreciation and respect for craftsmanship. The furor surrounding this sangría suggests that, for many, there is a line between enjoying luxury and wasting it. It also underscores a tension between personal freedom and cultural norms. While those who purchased the wine had every right to do with it as they pleased, their choice touched a nerve among those who believe that certain things—particularly items of such rarity and craftsmanship—deserve a degree of reverence.

The debate continues to ripple through the wine world and beyond, with some defending the group's right to use the wine as they saw fit, while others remain steadfast in their criticism. What is clear, however, is that this episode has reignited discussions about the value we place on luxury and how we choose to express—or exploit—it. In the end, whether seen as a playful indulgence or a blatant misuse of a great wine, the Petrus sangría of Cannes will likely be remembered less for its flavor and more for the questions it raises about taste, privilege, and the ever-evolving landscape of luxury.