Trends and hot names in wine

Trends become clearer

Reflecting on the various wine auctions held over the year, several major trends become obvious. Prices are rising faster than ever for the most expensive wines. As a result, a super-elite group of wines has distanced itself more and more from the others, a trend that can also be seen on the international market. The difference between best and second-best is thus greater than it ever has been. Naturally, top wines from Bordeaux, and a few from Burgundy, Rhone and Champagne, are leading the way and causing the wide gap in price. Trailing along behind is a whole string of wines vying for a place among the best. A leap that would correspond to a first division football club suddenly qualifying for the Champions League. Such leaps mean instant profit, and a pressure of demand which can be felt from all corners of the world.

It is buyers from Asian countries in particular who are presently purchasing classic wines, from Bordeaux among others. So far, this has caused the price of mature wines to increase the fastest, but more recent vintages are also on the rise. In the spring, for example, we saw some extremely high bids for en primeur wines from the 2005 vintage in Bordeaux. Many people were greatly surprised by the prices offered. For most of the wines, these were 20-35% higher than the previous vintage, but the most famous chateaux experienced increases of as much as 300%. Some shook their heads in disbelief while others bought and bought. And the vintage is still in high demand.

We look forward to a new exciting wine year in 2007 and to welcoming you to the first online wine auction of the year on 16 January and the first classic wine on 25 April.