This week, Bordeaux reaffirmed its dominance in the wine market, commanding a 33.1% share of traded value, a notable increase from last week’s 30.9%.
The driving force behind Bordeaux's strong performance was Château Lafite Rothschild, which saw several vintages of both its first and second wine, Carruades de Lafite, actively traded. Lafite Rothschild's consistent appeal and high demand helped secure Bordeaux's position at the top of the market.
Burgundy followed closely, capturing a 24.3% share of the market. The region's performance was bolstered by high-value wines from prestigious producers like Emmanuel Rouget, Henri Jayer, and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. These sought-after labels continue to attract collectors and investors alike, contributing significantly to Burgundy's robust market presence.
In contrast, Tuscany experienced a decline in its share of trade, dropping from 9.9% last week to 6.4% this week. While Isole e Olena’s Cepparello traded in large volumes, the overall activity for higher-value Tuscan wines, such as Tignanello and Masseto, decreased. This decline in activity marks a shift in focus away from Tuscany, even as some of its wines continue to be traded actively.
The USA, however, overtook Tuscany with a 7.1% share of the market. Opus One, in particular, emerged as a key player, taking center stage in the American wine trade. The 2019 and 2018 vintages of Opus One were among the top five traded wines of the week, with the 2015 and 2016 vintages also seeing significant activity. While Screaming Eagle’s Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon usually dominates the American market, this week Opus One’s prominence marked a shift in buying patterns, highlighting the wine's growing influence.
Spain also made a noteworthy impact, capturing a 5.0% share of traded value—more than double its share from last week. The region's strong performance was driven by Vega Sicilia, which accounted for 60.6% of Spain’s trade. Unico, Vega Sicilia's flagship wine, led the charge, but other labels like Valbuena 5 and Alion also saw active trading. This surge in interest underscores Vega Sicilia’s enduring appeal among wine enthusiasts and investors.
Bollinger R.D. 2008 continued its streak as the top-traded wine by value for the second consecutive week, despite a price drop. Initially trading at GBP 2,064 (EUR 2,412) per 12×75 on Sunday, its price had fallen by 7.9% to GBP 1,900 (EUR 2,220) by Wednesday. This price fluctuation reflects the dynamic nature of the market and the varying demand for this vintage.
Château Lafite Rothschild 2019 secured the second spot among the top-traded wines, standing out as the only Bordeaux wine in the top five. Last trading at GBP 4,620 (EUR 5,403), the wine’s price has fallen below its original international release price of GBP 5,112 (EUR 5,977). Despite this decline, demand for the 2019 vintage has seen a strong resurgence over the past month, indicating renewed interest in this prestigious Bordeaux label.
Opus One's 2019 and 2018 vintages rounded out the top four, with trading prices for the 2018 vintage fluctuating between GBP 2,922 (EUR 3,417) and GBP 2,676 (EUR 3,128), close to its original release price of GBP 2,760 (EUR 3,227). In contrast, the 2019 vintage traded approximately 10% below its release price, reflecting a market correction after an initial pricing strategy that was nearly 10% higher than the 2018 release. Despite receiving similar critical acclaim, the 2019 vintage was released just before a market downturn, impacting its current trading value.
Lastly, Isole e Olena’s Cepparello, though not frequently traded, saw large volumes of its 2021 vintage change hands this week. The wine traded at GBP 696 (EUR 814) per 12×75, slightly below its July price of GBP 736 (EUR 861) per case. This decline illustrates the volatility of the market and the sensitivity of pricing to fluctuations in demand and trading volume.
Overall, this week’s wine market activity highlights the shifting dynamics among leading regions and the continued influence of prestigious labels in driving trade value. As Bordeaux and Burgundy maintain their dominance, regions like Tuscany and Spain show varying levels of activity, while the USA continues to gain traction with its high-profile wines.
Source: Liv-ex