In the final week of May 2025, the fine wine secondary market showed renewed dynamism, driven largely by increased trading in Burgundy and Champagne, as UK-based buyers dominated activity.
According to Liv-ex data, Burgundy’s share of trade rose to 27.8% (up from 22.7% the previous week), while Champagne also climbed to 14.2% (from 12.3%), suggesting shifting investment sentiment and growing buyer confidence at current price levels.
Burgundy: Back in Focus
Burgundy’s performance was particularly fueled by significant demand for wines from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC), which accounted for nearly a third of all Burgundy trade. Assortment cases from DRC’s 2013, 2016, and 2019 vintages were key contributors to the uplift. This return to high-value Burgundy buying signals a potential stabilization in the market after months of price correction and declining sentiment.
Champagne: Prestige Labels Shine
In Champagne, Cristal 2006 emerged as the week’s top-traded wine by value, while Dom Pérignon led by volume. The region’s growing share reflects a steady global appetite for premium sparkling wines, with UK and Asian buyers particularly active.
Bordeaux Still Dominates But Slips
Bordeaux maintained its position as the largest regional contributor with 33.6% of total trade by value, although this marks a decline from previous weeks. The ongoing 2024 En Primeur campaign experienced a brief pause due to the Vinexpo trade fair, which may have diverted attention. Notable Bordeaux labels in this period included Petrus 2000 and Château Lafite Rothschild.
Tuscany Stable, Sassicaia and Brunello Make Waves
Tuscany held steady with a consistent 8% share of trade. Alongside strong volumes for Sassicaia and Tignanello 2022, several Brunello di Montalcino labels—most notably Biondi-Santi 2018 and 2019—were actively traded. The performance of these wines reinforces Tuscany’s position as a resilient and diversified player in the fine wine space.
Piedmont: Powered by Conterno
Piedmont closed the week with a 4.6% share of trade by value. Giacomo Conterno dominated activity in the region, with Barolo Francia and Monfortino Riserva representing more than half of all Piedmont trade. These sought-after wines continue to attract collectors and investors looking for aging potential and rarity.
USA Wines See Drop
In contrast, the USA’s share of trade fell to 4.9% from 8.1% the week before. Despite the drop, Opus One traded actively across multiple vintages, and Continuum 2019 stood out as the top-traded U.S. wine by value. The decline may reflect short-term profit-taking or a rotation of investment focus back to European classics.
Market Outlook: Signs of Stabilization Amid Selective Buying
While overall market confidence remains cautious, the uptick in Burgundy and Champagne trading—particularly among UK buyers—hints at a possible turning point. According to Liv-ex, buyers are increasingly finding value in current price levels after significant corrections in 2023 and early 2024. Regions like Tuscany and Piedmont continue to show consistent trade, underscoring a wider trend toward selective diversification in fine wine portfolios.
Source: Liv-ex