Last week, fine wine trends underscored the diverse dynamics in the global fine wine market.
For collectors and investors, the focus on both mature and newer vintages is clear, with a growing interest in iconic wines from prestigious producers across these key regions.
Bordeaux Maintains Market Dominance
Bordeaux continues to assert its dominance in the fine wine market, capturing a commanding 38.4% of the total traded value this week. Among the region's wines, Château Mouton Rothschild stood out as the top-traded wine, accounting for over 25% of Bordeaux’s trade. Notably, the 2021 vintage of Mouton Rothschild was not just the standout by volume but also by value. The Bordeaux region also saw a significant number of very mature vintages change hands, with some rare bottles reaching impressive prices. For instance, a single bottle of the 1916 vintage, the oldest wine to trade this week, fetched a remarkable £3,296. This highlights the ongoing appetite for rare and prestigious Bordeaux wines, especially as the market values both new releases and legendary older vintages.
Burgundy's Solid Performance
Burgundy maintained its strong position with a 16.6% share of the traded value. This week, Domaine Leflaive emerged as the top-traded producer in the region, followed by Domaine Gros Frère et Sœur and Domaine des Lambrays. The top Burgundy sub-regions by value were Puligny-Montrachet and Richbourg, both of which saw significant trade activity. This reflects the ongoing high demand for exceptional Burgundy wines, particularly from renowned producers in these prestigious areas. Burgundy’s consistent performance underscores its enduring appeal, with collectors continuing to favor wines from both well-known names and high-quality sub-regions.
Champagne’s Strong Week
The Champagne market had a solid week, accounting for 14.6% of the total traded value. The 2012 vintage dominated both by volume and value, with Dom Pérignon and Cristal among the top five wines by traded value. The emphasis on these high-profile Champagne producers signals that collectors and investors are increasingly turning to top-tier, prestigious Champagne brands. The Cristal 2002 and 2015 vintages, in particular, have become key points of focus, with collectors seeking bottles from these exceptional years as a hedge against market uncertainty.
Tuscany’s Stability
Tuscany remained stable this week with a 7.4% share of the total traded value. The standout wine from the region was Biondi Santi’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino, which led by value. Also notable were the 2018 and 2019 vintages of Sassicaia, which continue to perform well on the market. With the 2022 release of Sassicaia expected to come next week, the region’s steady presence on the market suggests that Tuscany remains a key player in the fine wine trade, with strong interest in both its iconic and newer releases.
Piedmont’s Surge
Piedmont saw significant growth this week, taking a 5.8% share of the total traded value, up from 3.8% last week. Much of this increase can be attributed to the strong performance of Giacomo Conterno’s Barolo Monfortino Riserva, particularly the 2010 and 2014 vintages, which were top performers. This surge in trade reflects the increasing demand for wines from Piedmont, with Barolo’s legendary reputation attracting both new and seasoned collectors.
The US and Spain: Diverging Trends
After a strong performance last week, the US saw a notable decline, with its market share dropping from 8.3% to 3.0%. Despite the drop, Dominus and Promontory remained the top-traded wines from the US, highlighting their continued appeal in the fine wine market. On the other hand, Spain retained its foothold with a 4.9% share of the traded value. Vega Sicilia was by far the dominant force, accounting for a massive 78.5% of Spain’s trade, with its other labels, such as Alion, Valbuena 5.°, Unico, and Unico Reserva Especial, also seeing active trades.
Source: Liv-ex