For speculative investors, the fine wine market has been challenging in recent years. The days of rapid and easy profits are over, with prices softening across most categories.
According to analysts, the market will eventually stabilize and recover, but for true wine lovers, the current climate brings a silver lining: outstanding wines are more accessible now than during the peak years.
A key benchmark in this market is the Liv-Ex Classification, a ranking published every two years by the world’s leading secondary market platform for fine wines. The 2025 edition reflects the realities of a market that has cooled between June 2023 and June 2025, with the thresholds for its price bands (or “tiers”) adjusted downward by 23% in line with the decline of the Liv-Ex 1000 index.
The Structure of the Classification
Liv-Ex builds its classification by examining wines that:
- Were traded at least 12 times during the 12-month period (July 2024–June 2025).
- Feature at least five vintages with sufficient liquidity.
The 2025 ranking lists 332 wines across five tiers, with Tier 1 consisting of wines priced above GBP 2,839 per 12-bottle case.
France Still Leads, but Italy Surges Forward
As expected, France dominates the 2025 classification with 207 labels: Burgundy shows the most growth, while Bordeaux remains the anchor with 106 wines. Yet, the real story of this edition is Italy’s expansion.
- Italy counts 86 wines, up from 65 in 2023.
- Tuscany leads with 45 entries, followed by Piedmont with 36. Veneto adds 3, and Umbria and Abruzzo each contribute one.
This surge reflects Italy’s growing strength on the international stage, both in terms of market demand and critical recognition.
Tier 1: Italy’s Finest Shine Beside Burgundy’s Legends
At the very top, Burgundy remains unchallenged, with Domaine de la Romanée-Conti sweeping the podium (Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Richebourg). But Italy asserts itself strongly with nine labels in Tier 1:
- Giacomo Conterno – Barolo Monfortino Riserva
- Frescobaldi – Masseto
- Soldera Case Basse – 100% Sangiovese IGT Toscana
- Biondi-Santi – Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
- Gaja – Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo
- Bruno Giacosa – Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche
- Comm. GB Burlotto – Barolo Monvigliero
- Tenuta di Biserno – Lodovico
- Antinori – Matarocchio (Guado al Tasso)
This selection underlines the prestige of Italy’s great terroirs: Piedmont’s Barolo and Barbaresco, and Tuscany’s Brunello, Masseto, and Sangiovese-based icons.
Tiers 2–5: Depth and Diversity of Italian Wine
Italy’s strength lies not only in a handful of world-famous labels but also in the breadth of its representation across all tiers:
- Tier 2 (42 wines) includes stars such as Sassicaia, Solaia, Ornellaia, Tignanello, Redigaffi, Amarone della Valpolicella by Dal Forno and Quintarelli, as well as iconic Barolo crus from Rinaldi, Mascarello, Vietti, and Sandrone.
- Tier 3 (20 wines) highlights Cepparello, Luce, Testamatta, and several top Brunelli (Valdicava, Fuligni, Costanti), alongside Barolo greats like Cavallotto and Vajra.
- Tier 4 (13 wines) showcases I Sodi di San Niccolò, Oreno, Siepi, Montosoli, and Rosso di Montalcino from Poggio di Sotto.
- Tier 5 (2 wines) closes with Vietti’s Barolo Castiglione and Antinori’s Chianti Classico Badia a Passignano.
Beyond Italy: The Global Picture
While France and Italy dominate, the classification also reflects the diversity of the fine wine world:
- USA: 15 wines
- Spain: 9 wines
- Argentina: 6 wines
- Chile: 3 wines
- Australia and New Zealand: 2 wines each
- Switzerland and Portugal: 1 wine each
A Market in Transition
The 2025 Liv-Ex Classification confirms both the challenges and the opportunities of today’s fine wine market. For investors, it signals caution: prices have adjusted, and quick gains are scarce. For collectors and passionate drinkers, however, it is a moment to acquire legendary bottles at slightly more favorable levels.
And for Italy, the classification marks a historic step forward: from Tuscany to Piedmont, Italian wines now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the greatest in the world.
Source: WineNews