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La Place 2025: Key fine wine releases beyond Bordeaux

Post author By Emma
Post date September 16, 2025
No Comments on La Place 2025: Key fine wine releases beyond Bordeaux

The La Place 2025 campaign has continued its expansion with more than 130 wines offered via the historic network.
As the campaign unfolds against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, some estates have paused their involvement while others see it as an even more necessary tool to secure sales.
We analyse the value and investment potential of some of the most important La Place releases.

The La Place 2025 campaign has continued its expansion with more than 130 wines offered via the historic network.

Firstly, what is La Place? Traditionally, La Place de Bordeaux (as it is called in full) was the centuries-old distribution system through which Bordeaux châteaux released their wines to international merchants. Over the past two decades, it has transformed into a global platform, with leading estates from Tuscany, California, Chile, and beyond joining to tap into its worldwide reach. For investors, La Place matters because it provides access to many of the world’s most sought-after wines at the moment of release – making it a barometer for both pricing trends and collector demand.

As the campaign unfolds against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, some estates have paused their involvement while others see it as an even more necessary tool to secure sales. We analyse the value and investment potential of some of the most important La Place releases.

La Place in 2025: what has changed

This year’s campaign unfolds against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, with the fine wine market still in the grip of a downturn that began in late 2022. Lower release prices have become more of an expectation, with the need to adapt to softer demand more noticeable than ever. Some estates have chosen to step back, pausing their La Place involvement for now, while others have come to view the system as key to securing global recognition and distribution.

What remains unchanged is the underlying pull of La Place: demand among producers to gain access to this international sales platform continues to grow, ensuring a steady stream of new entrants even as others bow out.

Departures and pauses

Not every name is present this year. Montes Muse, Destiny Bay, and Bibi Graetz’s ultra-limited Balocchi are no longer part of the roster. Certain wines are absent due to production constraints rather than strategy: Penfolds Bin 169 was not made in 2023, while Cloudburst skipped its 2022 Malbec. Within Bibi Graetz’s portfolio, the white Testamatta and Colore were made in such small volumes that they will not be offered via La Place.

Shifting timelines

Another notable trend is the shift in release windows. Several well-known estates have moved from September to March releases, including Hermitage La Chapelle, Napa’s Favia, Chile’s Viñedo Chadwick, and Jackson Family Wines’ Cardinale. This rescheduling might help reduce bottlenecks during the crowded September calendar.

New arrivals

Despite some exits, the list of debutants reinforces La Place’s increasingly diverse profile. New highlights include:

Argentina (Mendoza): Zuccardi’s El Camino de las Flores
Australia (Clare Valley): Jim Barry Florita
Australia (Tasmania): Arras Grand Vintage
France (Loire): Vincent Delaporte (Sancerre), Domaine Luneau Papin (Muscadet), Laurent Lebrun (Pouilly-Fumé), Sébastien Brunet (Vouvray)
Spain (Ribeira Sacra): Cornamús (F. Algueira)
USA (California): Flowers (Pinot Noir & Chardonnay)

Most in-demand La Place releases

Some La Place releases command attention year after year. These include the Super Tuscans, California’s cult labels, and Bordeaux/New World collaborations such as Seña and Almaviva. But where do their latest vintage releases sit in the current market and the overall brand performance?

Masseto

Masseto was the first Italian wine to join La Place de Bordeaux back in 2009, offering its 2006 vintage through the international distribution system. It was also the first wine with no specific Bordeaux ties to join the platform, paving the way for other fine wines from around the world.

Earlier this month saw the release of its latest 2022 vintage at £6,140 per 12×75, down 1% on last year. The wine achieved 95 points from Antonio Galloni (Vinous) – his lowest score since the 2014. Still, he described it as ‘elegant and polished’ and ‘super refined’.

When it comes to value for money, the 100-point 2021 vintage makes a better buy. The lower-priced but higher-scored 2018 and 2017 vintages also offer better value. All of these vintages sit below the average brand price of £7,812 per case. Notably, our Masseto index has risen 67% over the past decade.

Solaia

Another notable Super Tuscan follows a similar trajectory. Solaia 2022 was released at £3,300 per 12×75, flat on the 2021, which has since fallen in value. Comparing critic scores for the two weighs in favour of last year’s release, which earned 100 points from Galloni. The lower-priced 2018 Solaia also looks more attractive.

Over the past decade, our Solaia index has risen an impressive 113%. Even with the current market downturn, Solaia values have held relatively steady – up 3% in the last six months.

Opus One

Moving past the Super Tuscans, the 2022 vintage of the USA’s most popular wine, Opus One, was released earlier this month at £2,820 per 12×75. The wine received 92+ points from Galloni, 96 points from Jane Anson and 95-97 points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW. Higher-rated vintages like 2018 and 2019 look better poised for investment.

The overall performance trajectory of Opus One has been positive: the brand is up 4% in the last six months, 18% in the last five years, and 95% in the last decade.

Penfolds Grange

Penfolds, Australia’s leading wine brand, released its 2021 vintage slightly below 2020 but above most readily-available older vintages. The new release achieved 98 points from Jane Anson and Erin Larkin (Wine Advocate). Still, buyers will find better value in 2015 and 2016 – two of the most sought-after Penfolds Grange vintages.

Seña

The 2023 vintage of Seña, which received 95 points from Joaquin Hidalgo (Vinous) and Jane Anson, was released at £720 per 12×75, down 36% on last year. Still, the 95-point 2018 and 96-point 2019 remain available at lower prices.

In the last six months, our Seña index has risen 2%; over the past decade, it is up 70%.

Almaviva

Almaviva, the most popular Chilean wine brand, also offered its 2023 vintage via La Place this September, at £924 per 12×75 case. The new vintage was awarded 96 points from Joaquin Hidalgo, placing it on par with the 2021 and 2019 vintages. The 2023 Almaviva has been one of the better value La Place releases, although from its back vintages, 2020 and 2019 look equally or even more attractive.

In terms of overall brand performance, our Almaviva index is up 141% in the last decade. The brand’s average price per case now stands at £1,565.

The 2025 La Place campaign inevitably reflects the global economic climate as well as the challenges and the resilience of today’s fine wine market. A cautious economic backdrop and softer demand have prompted some estates to step aside and others to lower prices, yet La Place continues to expand in scope and influence.

The arrival of new producers from Argentina, Australia, the Loire, and California highlights its ongoing globalisation, while established icons like Masseto, Solaia, Opus One, and Almaviva still command worldwide attention. The key for buyers remains having a selective and comparative approach. While new releases carry prestige and immediate buzz, back vintages often provide stronger value and proven performance.

Want to learn more? See also: Is buying early always the best investment?

WineCap’s independent market analysis showcases the value of portfolio diversification and the stability offered by investing in wine. Speak to one of our wine investment experts and start building your portfolio. Schedule your free consultation today.

Tags Australian wine, Chilean Wine, Global fine wine market, Italian fine wine, Italian wine, italy wine, La Place, La Place 2025, La Place de Bordeaux, La Place releases, Napa Valley wine, Napa wines, Opus One, Penfolds, top releases, wine releases

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Is buying early always the best investment?

Post author By Emma
Post date September 9, 2025
No Comments on Is buying early always the best investment?

The common concept in fine wine investment has been that buying early (at release) often translates into the best possible price.
The concept has its roots in Bordeaux’s En Primeur system but the principle has been challenged in the last decade.
Ageing potential is important, but it is not the only factor in price performance.

Timing is crucial when it comes to almost every decision. While not all investments have a lifespan, some do – and fine wine is a prime example of a perishable good that evolves, peaks and declines in quality and value.

The common concept in fine wine investment has been that buying early or at release often translates into buying at the best possible (lowest) price. Recent Bordeaux En Primeur campaigns have worked against this principle. Individual wine indices, such as those on Wine Track also show that the price performance of a wine is driven by numerous factors beyond age. The value arc does not simply follow the life cycle of the product but responds to demand, critic scores, and brand popularity among other factors.

So, is buying early always the best investment? The answer, as we’ll see, is far more nuanced.

The origins of buying early: Bordeaux En Primeur

The concept of buying wine early has its roots in Bordeaux’s En Primeur system. Emerging in the post-war decades of the 20th century, it was designed to provide much-needed cash flow to châteaux, while offering buyers privileged access to top wines before they were bottled.

En Primeur still works broadly the same way today: buyers purchase wine in the spring following the harvest, while the wine is still ageing in barrel. Delivery follows one to two years later, once bottling has taken place.

For decades, this system benefitted both producers and buyers. Châteaux received upfront financing, while collectors and investors gained access to some of the most prestigious wines in the world at prices significantly lower than they would command once bottled.

The traditional promise of buying early

The original attraction of En Primeur was simple: buy early, secure allocations, and enjoy price appreciation once the wine is released to the wider market. In exceptional vintages like 1982, 2000, or 2005, those who bought early often saw spectacular returns.

For investors, the logic was straightforward:

Scarcity effect: Once the wine left the château, supply only diminished as bottles were consumed.
Pricing advantage: En Primeur pricing was historically lower than post-release retail.
Access to top names: For blue-chip estates like Lafite, Latour, and Margaux, early purchases guaranteed allocations that might otherwise be difficult to secure later.

In these circumstances, buying early equates to buying smart.

When buying early backfires

The past decade, however, has challenged this principle. Several Bordeaux En Primeur campaigns, most notably in 2017 and even 2020, saw release prices set so high that early buyers struggled to achieve returns. In some cases, wines could be purchased at equal or lower prices a year or two after bottling.

The reasons are clear:

Aggressive pricing by châteaux: A stronger global demand for fine wine has emboldened producers to set ambitious release prices.
Market corrections: Economic slowdowns, global trade disruptions, and shifting consumer preferences have softened demand after release.
Vintage variation: Lesser or more challenging vintages often lack the critical acclaim needed to sustain premium En Primeur pricing.

For investors, this has underscored the risk of assuming that ‘earliest means cheapest’.

What makes fine wine different from other assets

To understand why timing matters so much in wine investment, it’s important to recognise how wine differs from other asset classes:

Finite supply: Unlike companies that can issue more shares, every bottle consumed reduces global availability.
Physical lifespan: Wine matures and eventually declines; it is not a perpetual store of value like gold.
Quality peaks: Different wines have different drinking windows, meaning investors must consider not just price but also maturity and market timing.
Luxury demand drivers: Beyond fundamentals, fine wine is influenced by critic scores, branding, and even lifestyle trends among global collectors.

This blend of scarcity, perishability, and cultural cachet makes wine a unique – and uniquely complex – investment.

Beyond age: the real drivers of value

Ageing potential is important, but it is not the only factor in price performance. Modern wine indices and case studies reveal a more layered picture. Key drivers include:

Critic scores: A 100-point rating from Robert Parker, Neal Martin, or William Kelley can send prices soaring overnight.
Producer reputation: Estates like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Screaming Eagle, or Krug often outperform peers regardless of vintage quality.
Market cycles: Broader economic forces, from currency fluctuations to tariff policies, can depress or lift wine prices.
Brand popularity: Rising interest in regions like Champagne or Tuscany can create waves of demand that drive prices beyond what traditional models predict.

In other words, while time and age matter, they are not the sole determinants of performance.

When buying early makes sense

Despite these caveats, buying early can still be an excellent strategy under the right conditions.

Exceptional vintages: En Primeur remains compelling in universally acclaimed years, where demand is strong and release pricing is competitive.
High-demand producers: Cult estates with limited production – such as Château Lafleur in Pomerol or Domaine Leflaive in Burgundy – make early buying critical for securing allocations.
Collector profiles: For those who value access as much as investment return, buying early provides peace of mind.

For these buyers, the combination of access, scarcity, and potential upside makes early purchase attractive.

Alternative timing strategies

If early purchase is no longer a guarantee of success, what are the alternatives?

Back-vintage buys: Many investors now prefer to target wines once bottled and scored, when pricing stabilises and market sentiment is clearer.
Diversification by region: Burgundy, Champagne, and Italy’s Super Tuscans increasingly offer opportunities outside the Bordeaux En Primeur cycle.
Mixed approach: A blend of early allocations (for access) and carefully chosen back-vintage purchases (for value) often proves the most resilient strategy.

By broadening their scope and diversifying their portfolios with different regions and vintages, investors can reduce risk and capture opportunities across global markets.

The role of La Place de Bordeaux today

It’s also worth noting that the traditional Bordeaux system has evolved. La Place de Bordeaux, the centuries-old distribution network, now offers not just En Primeur but also back vintages and non-Bordeaux icons such as Opus One, Masseto, and Almaviva.

These September releases are already bottled and ready to ship, offering global investors access to top wines without the risks of futures. In many ways, they reflect the modernisation of fine wine trading: access, liquidity, and global reach, without the same timing pressures as En Primeur.

The art of timing in investment

The idea that buying early is always the best investment belongs to another era. While there are still moments when buying at release delivers the greatest value, these are no longer guaranteed.

Fine wine is unlike any other asset: it is finite, perishable, and driven as much by culture and reputation as by supply and demand. Successful investors understand that while time is crucial, it is not the only variable.

The smart investor balances early buying in exceptional vintages with selective secondary market purchases, diversifies across regions and producers, and pays close attention to global demand trends.

Tags Bordeaux En Primeur, buying wine early, critic score, fine wine investment, investing in wine, luxury wine investment, when to buy fine wine, wine as an alternative asset, wine collector tips, wine investment guide, wine investment returns, wine investment strategy, wine market timing, wine portfolio diversification, wine price performance factors, wine scarcity and value

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Champagne harvest under scrutiny as region bounces back

Post author By Emma
Post date September 2, 2025
No Comments on Champagne harvest under scrutiny as region bounces back

To promote the highest standards, Champagne set the 2025 yield limit at the lowest level since the pandemic, though early projections suggest a 10–17% year-on-year increase in the natural crop.
Comité Champagne introduced “Together for the Champagne Harvest” to align all producers with welfare standards.
Champagne’s investment market is beginning to show subtle signs of recovery, supported by improving conditions across the region.

Harvest 2025: Notable yield cap upholds high standards

In July, Champagne stakeholders set a yield cap of 9,000 kg/ha for the 2025 harvest, making it the lowest since the 2020 pandemic year. The industry decision-making body, the Comité Champagne called the move “responsible” citing market uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and volatile consumer behaviour making forecasting more difficult, as the reasons for the limit.

Yield caps since 2020 (kg/ha)

2020: 8,000
2021: 10,000
2022: 12,000
2023: 11,400
2024: 10,000

The objective of the 2025 reduction is not only to balance production with sales projections: it also aims to support high standards and preserve the exclusivity of Champagne. This investment in quality and new worker welfare measures are positioning the region’s top wines for worthwhile and sustainable investment opportunities.

Champagne key facts

Located in northeastern France
Received Champagne AOC in 1936
16,000 grape growers & 320 producers
300 million bottles yearly
Annual revenue exceeds €5 billion
The third most important fine wine investment region after Bordeaux and Burgundy

What is the Comité Champagne?

Established in 1941 and headquartered in Épernay, the Comité Champagne operates as the umbrella organisation for the Champagne industry. This interprofessional organisation promotes cooperation between the Syndicat Général de Vignerons de Champagne (SGV) and the Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC), two professional groups representing more than 16,000 winegrowers and 350 Champagne houses.

New health, safety, and well-being measures

As the 2025 harvest begins, the Champagne appellation is under observation, with the region determined to counter a tarnished reputation after poor seasonal worker treatment in 2023 recently led to the jailing of three harvest crew contractors. Around 120,000 seasonal harvest workers are arriving across the region to work 34,000 hectares of vines, with their welfare being closely watched.

Following the infamous 2023 season, it’s not only harvest team wellbeing in the spotlight: the protection of the Champagne region’s name and value are also of parallel importance. In line with this two-pronged mission, the Comité Champagne has addressed the challenges with the “Together for the Champagne Harvest” scheme, responding to both the needs of Champagne professionals and the expectations of seasonal workers.

What is the “Together for the Champagne Harvest”?

Following more than a hundred purpose-driven meetings in 2024, when the sector trialled new measures to improve the safety of seasonal workers, “Together for the Champagne Harvest” was born. The initiative takes the form of a series of guides and talks, informing stakeholders of the labor regulations in force. Aimed at making the Champagne harvest more ethical, collaborative, and organised, the scheme brings together four areas of top priority industry focus:

health and safety during harvest
collective accommodation for seasonal workers
service provision
recruitment

The areas contribute to an emphasis on broader sustainable wine production. All stakeholders were involved in the process: Champagne winegrowers and houses, government departments, inspection services, Mutualité Sociale Agricole, France Travail, prevention and emergency services, employee unions, and service providers.

What are the Moët & Chandon wellbeing measures?

Global Champagne name, Moët & Chandon, has been a leader in harvest crew welfare for years. During the harvest season, Moët & Chandon employs more than 4,000 people, the lion’s share of whom work in the vineyards. With such a huge operation, the focus is constantly on safety, grape harvest crew welfare, and operational efficiency.

Each harvester receives safety training and a full set of protective equipment for all weather conditions, with health and safety officers present in the field to provide stand-by. Additionally, since 2018, Moët & Chandon has also welcomed 18 physiotherapists to their accommodation centers to support physical well-being.

Moët & Chandon continues to invest in modern and comfortable accommodation for directly-contracted workers. The grape pickers employed by external partners enjoy the same high standards, with the house auditing accommodation ahead of the harvest and inspecting sites during picking.

All sites are equipped with dedicated spaces for relaxation and leisure. Last year, the house established a weekly rest day. In the morning, grape pickers can take part in relaxing activities, followed by behind-the-scenes visits to Moët’s pressing centers.

The aim is to allow harvesters to see how their work contributes to the creation of the Champagnes, and to participate in the story of Moët & Chandon.

Moët & Chandon key facts

Founded in 1743 in Épernay, France, where it’s headquartered
Part of Wines & Spirits division under Moët Hennessy, which is part of LVMH
Moët & Chandon tends 1,150 hectares of vines
Vineyards in Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, and Côte des Blancs
Their flagship label, Dom Pérignon Vintage, has risen almost 100% in value in the last decade

A quick look at Champagne’s wine investment market

After more than a year of declines, Champagne market trends are pointing to stabilisation.

Since 2020, there have been two clear phases in market movement: initially, there was a 93.9% swell from March 2020 to October 2022, then a 34.7% decline that restored prices to 2021 levels. Although modest, June saw the first price uptick, paired with consolidation among top brands, indicating that the bearish market might soon be over.

Fundamentals such as scarcity, ageing potential, sustainability, and global demand are intact, with more attractive entry points increasing the appeal of Champagne investment. The region is well positioned to be the first fine wine area to re-enter growth, making wine portfolio diversification opportunities difficult to ignore.

For more, read our Champagne Regional Report.

Tags champagne harvest 2025, champagne market trends, champagne price correction, champagne vineyard workers wellbeing, Champagne wine investment, Comité Champagne yield 2025, grape harvest crew welfare, seasonal vineyard labor France, sustainable wine production, wine industry investment opportunities, wine portfolio diversification

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Fine wine investment returns: if you’d put £1,000 in 10 years ago

Post author By Emma
Post date August 26, 2025
No Comments on Fine wine investment returns: if you’d put £1,000 in 10 years ago

Fine wine has long been celebrated as both a pleasure to own and a source of steady, inflation-beating returns. But how much difference can the choice of region, producer, and timing make over the long term?

Using Wine Track data, we’ve taken a decade-long view – from 2015 to 2025 – to see exactly how a £1,000 investment in some of the world’s most sought-after wines would have performed. The results reveal disparities between regions and labels, driven by factors such as scarcity, critical acclaim, brand momentum, and the fluctuations of global demand.

In some cases, your £1,000 would have barely kept pace with inflation. In others, it could have doubled, tripled, or even more – often in places you might not expect. What’s more, because fine wine is a cyclical market, today’s leaders aren’t always tomorrow’s winners, and periods of market correction can present some of the best opportunities for future growth.

This analysis explores several key regions, showing not just the percentage returns but also what your £1,000 investment would be worth today, and what you could have bought then compared with now.

Bordeaux: a decade of divergence

In 2015, a £1,000 investment in a top Bordeaux could have taken very different paths over the following decade. If you had chosen Château Figeac, your £1,000 would now be worth £2,310 – more than doubling your money thanks to a +131% average return over the past decade. This performance has been fuelled by Figeac’s promotion to Premier Grand Cru Classé A and consistently high-scoring vintages.

Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion in Pessac-Léognan has been another star performer, climbing 163% over the past ten years. This is a rare combination of strong brand momentum, critical acclaim, and relative scarcity, making it one of the most compelling growth stories in the Bordeaux market.

By contrast, the First Growths have had a more subdued performance. Looking at the current average market prices for the several blue-chip Pauillac labels and their second wines, the past decade has been anything but uniform:

Château Lafite Rothschild sits today at around £5,106 per case, up just 6% over the last decade. This reflects both its lofty 2015 starting point and the cooling of the top-tier Bordeaux segment in recent years. However, some vintages have outperformed the overall brand.
Château Latour is similar, with a 10-year rise of 4%, now averaging £4,960 per case.
Château Mouton Rothschild fared better, with a 22% decade-long gain to £4,496 per case, thanks partly to strong demand for key vintages in the late 2010s.

The best relative value in the First Growth orbit has often been found in their second wines:

Carruades de Lafite rose 46% to £2,042,
Les Forts de Latour gained 29% to £1,622, and
Le Petit Mouton surged 86% to £2,032, driven by rising brand recognition and a shift toward buyers seeking prestige at lower entry points.

This ‘second wine premium’ over the decade illustrates a key point for investors: sometimes the best relative value comes not from the pinnacle labels, but from their immediate tier below. These wines benefit from the halo effect of the grand vin’s reputation while offering lower starting prices.

However, the current context matters. The performance of the Liv-ex 50 (First Growths) and Bordeaux 500 (broader region) shows how the 2022 peak has given way to a sharp correction, with prices now trending towards 2015 levels. This is classic market cyclicality: those who bought during the previous trough and held through the rally have realised strong gains; those entering now may be positioning themselves at the start of the next upswing.

Burgundy: the market reset

If Bordeaux’s decade has been a story of cyclical swings and selective outperformance, Burgundy’s has been one of explosive gains followed by a sharp correction. The Liv-ex Burgundy 150 index more than quadrupled between 2015 and its 2022 peak, fuelled by surging global demand for small-production, high-prestige domaines. Since then, prices have retraced significantly, but remain far above their 2015 levels, underscoring the long-term wealth-generating power of the region’s top wines.

At the very top sits Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti Grand Cru, whose sky-high starting point means it was always going to operate in a different financial stratosphere to most wines. Over the past decade, prices have risen by 147%, elevating the wine’s average price per case to £213,303.

Among the biggest long-term winners is Domaine René Engel, Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru Aux Brûlées, which has climbed 1,482% in the past decade. That’s enough to turn £1,000 into a staggering £15,820 today. Engel’s cult status has only intensified since the sudden passing of Philippe Engel in 2005, leaving the estate without a clear successor, and its eventual sale to François Pinault, who renamed it Domaine d’Eugénie.

Meanwhile, Domaine Leroy Richebourg Grand Cru has appreciated by 507% over the same period, due to a combination of biodynamic viticulture, minuscule yields, and demand consistently outstripping supply.

The sheer magnitude of these returns reflects Burgundy’s unique market dynamics:

Scarcity at every level – often just a handful of barrels per cru.
Global demand from Asia to the Americas.
Producer-led brand power that eclipses even vintage variation in driving prices.

Yet the post-2022 decline in Burgundy shows that even this hallowed region is not immune to market cycles. For investors, today’s lower prices could represent a rare opportunity to enter or rebalance Burgundy holdings – though the barriers to entry at the very top remain as formidable as ever.

Champagne: the market fizzes with potential

Champagne has traditionally been viewed as a steady, blue-chip corner of the fine wine market: less volatile than Burgundy and Bordeaux, yet capable of delivering strong long-term growth. Over the past decade, the Champagne 50 index has shown a clear upward trajectory, punctuated by a sharp rally between 2019 and 2022 before a mild correction.

The most eye-catching long-term gains have come not only from the established houses but also from small-production grower-producers like Egly-Ouriet, Brut Millésime Grand Cru, which has surged 633% in the last decade. That growth has been fuelled by a wave of sommelier-driven interest in terroir-driven Champagne and limited allocations reaching the market.

Prestige cuvées from major houses have also rewarded patient investors. Salon Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru has delivered a 298% return, while Billecart-Salmon Le Clos Saint-Hilaire climbed 203%.

A particularly notable outlier is Cédric Bouchard, Rosé de Saignée Le Creux d’Enfer, with an extraordinary 418% return – turning £1,000 into £5,180 – reflecting the explosive demand for rare, artisanal Champagne in recent years.

Champagne’s appeal lies in its dual identity: both a luxury good for immediate enjoyment and a serious investment asset. With the market cooling slightly from 2022 highs, current conditions may offer attractive entry points for those looking to secure allocations before the next phase of appreciation.

Italy: quiet consistency and standout performers

Italy’s fine wine market has been a story of steady, broad-based growth over the past decade, delivering consistent returns and avoiding some of the more extreme volatility seen in Burgundy or Champagne.

At the very top of the performance table sits G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero, with a remarkable 1,162% return over the last ten years. In Tuscany, Soldera Casse Basse, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva has been a powerhouse, rising 280% over the decade. The modern Tuscan icon Masseto has also posted a healthy 79%, taking £1,000 to £1,790.

Italy’s appeal lies in its combination of relative affordability, quality across multiple regions, and improving international distribution. While Piedmont’s and Tuscany’s top names have led the charge, there’s also significant breadth in the country from Abruzzo, Veneto, and beyond, giving investors multiple entry points into a market with both stability and pockets of spectacular growth.

Lessons from a decade of fine wine investing

Looking back from 2025, one reality stands out: fine wine is not a single market, but a patchwork of micro-markets, each with its own rhythm, risks, and rewards.

For investors, three lessons are clear:

Selection is everything – Even within a single region, the difference between a modest gain and a market-beating return can be measured in multiples.
Cycles create opportunity – Market peaks and troughs are inevitable; buying quality during a correction often positions you for the next rally.
Diversification pays off – Spreading capital across regions and producer tiers balances the potential for growth with the stability of blue-chip holdings.

As the market sits in a post-2022 cooling phase, parallels with earlier cycles suggest that this may be a moment for strategic accumulation. History shows that the investors who pair patience with informed selection tend to enjoy the richest rewards – sometimes quite literally.

Tags best wines to invest in 2025, Bordeaux wine investment, Burgundy wine investment returns, Champagne wine ROI, fine wine ROI, how much is my wine worth now, invest in wine, Italy wine investment, luxury wine market trends, wine investment by region, wine investment opportunities 2025, wine investment performance, wine investment returns, wine price trends 2015–2025

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Pound strength creates opportunity in Californian fine wine

Post author By Emma
Post date August 19, 2025
No Comments on Pound strength creates opportunity in Californian fine wine

Sterling strength against the US dollar, combined with Californian fine wine prices down 11.4% year-on-year create prime buying conditions for European investors.
From Screaming Eagle and Opus One to Bond Melbury and Aubert Chardonnay, select Californian wines are showing resilience and strong returns.
US wines are not subject to the same tariffs as European wines entering America, amplifying the current opportunity.

Currency tailwinds meet market softness

With pound sterling trading near its strongest levels against the US dollar in almost a decade, European fine wine buyers are enjoying a rare currency advantage. In addition, prices for Californian fine wine have fallen 11.4% on average in the last year – a steeper drop than Burgundy, Champagne, Italy and the Rhône. And while European exports are now subject to a 15% tariff in America, American wines enter the EU with only minimal import duties.

For those looking west, this means more than just favourable exchange rates – it’s a window of opportunity to acquire some of California’s top investment-grade wines at effectively lower prices. The combination of market softness in the US and a relatively strong pound has created a buying climate that hasn’t been so compelling in years.

California’s investment appeal

California has long been America’s fine wine powerhouse, with its top labels regularly commanding global attention alongside Bordeaux First Growths and Burgundy Grand Crus. The state offers remarkable diversity, from the cult Cabernet Sauvignons of Napa Valley to the elegant Chardonnays of the Sonoma Coast.

Yet it is also a market where fine wines have historically been harder to acquire in Europe. Limited allocations, strong domestic demand, and brand-loyal followings have often kept supply tight. In the current environment, however, these barriers have eased slightly. Some of California’s most iconic names are trading at multi-year lows, as part of the wider correction in the global fine wine market.

Screaming Eagle: The US investment benchmark

Screaming Eagle remains the top traded US wine by value, with a market history as intense as its scarcity. With six perfect 100-point scores in just 13 vintages, it sits in a league of its own among American wines. Over the past two decades, Screaming Eagle’s prices have climbed more than 200%, making it one of the most lucrative long-term holds in the fine wine market.

That said, the past few years have been volatile. After peaking in 2022, prices fell as broader market sentiment cooled, particularly in the ultra-high-end segment. The Screaming Eagle index has since shown signs of stabilisation, rising more than 5% year-to-date. For investors, this is often the sweet spot – when a correction has bottomed and momentum begins to turn.

The 2021 vintage is especially compelling. A 100-point release, it remains the most affordable among the perfect-score cohort. For those seeking a rare combination of topmost quality, brand prestige, and relative value, this vintage offers an unusually attractive entry point.

Other Californian fine wines to watch

While Screaming Eagle often dominates the conversation, California’s investment landscape is far broader. Several names have shown resilience or are quietly building momentum:

Opus One – This Franco-American collaboration has traded in higher volumes this year on Liv-ex than European stalwarts such as Léoville Las Cases, Ornellaia, and Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill. Year-to-date, our Opus One index is up 4%, with healthy liquidity that makes it attractive for active traders.
Joseph Phelps Insignia – A model of consistency, Insignia’s prices have risen through the broader market downturn. The index is up 7% over the past six months and has appreciated more than 70% in the last decade. Its track record makes it one of the most reliable US names for long-term investment.
Dominus – Known for its Bordeaux-style Napa blends, Dominus has declined just 1% in the past year. More recently, it has begun consolidating, with a 2% rise since January 2025, suggesting a potential base is forming for the next move higher.

These examples highlight an important point: not all Californian wines follow the same market rhythm. While the ultra-luxury segment can be more volatile, there are pockets of stability and even steady growth available to more risk-conscious investors.

Top-performing US wines over the past year

According to Wine Track, several Californian labels have posted double-digit gains despite general market challenges and political uncertainty. This once again underscores the value of selective buying, even in a cooling market.

Bond Melbury and Screaming Eagle The Flight lead the field, each posting gains of 30% or more – an impressive performance given the overall market softness. Both wines share similar investment traits: small production, critical acclaim, and established brand prestige.

The appearance of Aubert Chardonnay and Occidental Pinot Noir on this list also highlights a growing trend: high-quality Californian whites and Pinot Noirs are attracting more collector attention, offering diversification beyond Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends.

Investment takeaways

The combination of currency tailwinds and a market correction presents a rare opportunity for European buyers. For investors, the strategy is twofold:

Target icons at cyclical lows: Screaming Eagle, Opus One, and Dominus are trading below peak levels, offering the potential for recovery-driven gains.
Diversify with proven mid-tier performers: wines like Bond Melbury, Aubert Chardonnay, and Chappellet have delivered strong recent returns and often come with lower volatility than the ultra-cult names.

With sterling strong and US prices still subdued, this is a moment where timing and selectivity could translate into meaningful portfolio gains. California may be half a world away, but for European investors, the opportunity has rarely felt closer.

For more, read our United States Regional Report.

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The best fine wines to invest in 2025

Post author By Emma
Post date August 12, 2025
No Comments on The best fine wines to invest in 2025

How to pick the best investment wines

The fine wine secondary market is still working through a correction that began in late 2022. Prices declined further throughout the first half of this year, with the Liv-ex 100 index down 5.2%. For investors, this means many blue-chip wines are available at levels not seen for years, yet careful selection matters more than ever.

When choosing fine wines for investment in 2025, the following five criteria should be considered:

Liquidity: depth of secondary market trading
Scarcity: limited production and strong back-vintage demand.
Proven vintage quality: critics’ consensus across strong years.
Price momentum and entry point: assets that corrected to historically attractive bands.
Fundamentals: brand power, distribution, and ageing potential.

These filters reflect a cautious market where ‘selectivity and scarcity’ are driving the handful of winners that still posted gains in H1 2025.

Best Bordeaux wines to invest in: value in maturity

Bordeaux’s share of global trade has shrunk over the past decade – from a once dominant force to now accounting for just over a third of the market by value. It’s also been one of the hardest-hit regions in terms of price performance during the recent downturn. On the surface, that may look like a negative but in reality, it has opened a window of opportunity for new buyers.

The recent correction has created compelling value in back vintages. The long-standing myth that ‘the best Bordeaux to invest in is always the latest release’ has been debunked by recent market behaviour and En Primeur campaigns. In 2025, many of the most sought-after Bordeaux wines for investment were not recent releases but mature, well-stored vintages offering proven quality, established critic scores, and immediate drinkability.

Even the 2024 En Primeur campaign underscored this shift in thinking: while release prices were often cut aggressively to stimulate demand, in many cases, comparable back vintages offered more value for money.

Where to focus

Classed growth Left Bank from strong years: First Growth prices have fallen with the market, but that’s precisely where patiently-awaited value emerges in proven vintages with long drinking windows.
High-momentum châteaux like Les Carmes Haut-Brion: its critical trajectory and scarcity keep it on many ‘accumulate on dips’ lists.
Second wines are mixed: prefer estates with consistent quality vs the Grand Vin and strong brand equity.

A cyclical downturn, steeper primary price cuts, and abundant back-vintage supply allow building positions in classic names at 2014-era equivalents.

Best Burgundy wines to invest in: buy selectively

Burgundy, which has fallen 5.8% year-to-date, remains one of the regions most affected by the broader market correction. After leading the charge in the 2020-2022 price surge, it’s now working off those highs, but that’s drawing in patient buyers. Liv-ex recently reported that their Burgundy 150’s bid:offer ratio is climbing as buyers take advantage of softer conditions.

The best opportunities are in domaines with transparent distribution, consistent critic backing, and production levels that support liquidity. The aim isn’t to chase the rarest unicorns with the widest spreads, but to target ageworthy Premiers and Grands Cru wines from established producers – especially where pricing has stabilised.

Where to focus

Mature white Burgundy (2014–2017): Attractive now that prices have corrected.
Recent red vintages (2019–2020): Concentrated yet balanced, and increasingly accessible as sellers meet the market.
Strong recent performers: Names such as Domaine Michel Lafarge (+36% over 12 months), Domaine de la Vougeraie (+36%), and Samuel Billaud (+34%) have shown resilience and upside, alongside Grand Cru benchmarks like Jean-Claude Bachelet’s Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet (+30%).

Tip: Our full list of best-performing Burgundies is updated live on Wine Track – use it to cross-check performance momentum against your shortlist before committing capital.

Best Italian wines to invest in 2025: Super Tuscans and Piedmont

Italy’s indices have been more resilient than much of the market since 2023, with the Italy 100 showing a ‘tale of two cities’ – some weakness, but better relative performance than Burgundy and Bordeaux in the drawdown. Price discipline at release and broadening global demand help.

Where to focus

Bolgheri favourites: Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Masseto remain cornerstone holdings, offering quality, liquidity and global demand that underpin long-term value.
Select high-performing peers: Recent high flyers include Le Macchiole Scrio (+29% over 12 months), Marion Amarone (+21%), and Ciacci Piccolomini Pianrosso Riserva (+21%).
Piedmont classics: While overall activity is lighter, there are still compelling pockets such as Cascina Fontana Barolo (+29%) and Gaja Rossj-Bass (+28%), where approachable pricing and brand prestige support demand.

For diversification within Italy, combining steady Super Tuscan exposure with carefully chosen Piedmont parcels can balance liquidity with potential upside.

Best Champagnes to invest in 2025: stabilisation & early upside

Champagne combines brand prestige with broad global demand, strong critical reputations, and genuine scarcity in top vintages. After more than a year of declines, Champagne’s investment market is showing its first signs of recovery. In June 2025, the Liv-ex Champagne 50 posted its first monthly gain in twelve months, rising 0.8%.

Individual brand performances are another encouraging sign. Across 50 flagship vintages from Dom Pérignon, Cristal, Salon, Krug, and Taittinger Comtes, over 85% have halted their price declines, with most holding steady for at least six months, reaching a classic consolidation phase.

Moreover, demand is back on the rise. Champagne’s market share on Liv-ex has climbed to 12.4% year-to-date, above 2024’s average.

With prices now at more attractive entry points, this could be the first major fine wine region to re-enter growth mode, potentially ahead of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Italy in the recovery cycle.

Where to focus

Prestige cuvées: Dom Pérignon, Krug Vintage, Cristal – vintages from the 2008–2014 window are seeing the most stable pricing.
Scarce single-site icons: Salon Le Mesnil, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne – particularly strong in acclaimed vintages like 2008 and 2012.

For investors seeking diversification with cyclical upside, the signs suggest Champagne may soon be popping again.

Best California wines to invest in 2025: pound strength opportunity

Sterling’s strength against the US dollar – at near decade highs – has combined with an 11.4% year-on-year price decline in Californian fine wine to create one of the most attractive buying climates in recent memory for European investors.

Market leaders such as Screaming Eagle, Dominus and Opus One offer strong recovery potential, relative scarcity and top quality. Screaming Eagle’s long-term track record is particularly impressive, with six 100-point vintages in just 13 releases, and index growth of over 200% in the last two decades.

Where to focus

Icons at cyclical lows: Screaming Eagle 2021, Opus One, and Dominus for recovery-driven gains.
High-growth, small-production labels: Bond Melbury and Screaming Eagle The Flight, combining scarcity with recent strong momentum.
Diversification beyond Cabernet: Aubert Chardonnay and Occidental Pinot Noir for breadth and reduced volatility in US exposure.

With pricing, currency, and availability aligning, California offers a unique short-term window to secure both blue-chip icons and emerging stars at levels not seen in years.

Best investment vintages: quick compass in 2025

2005 (Bordeaux & beyond):
Now entering a glorious drinking window for Left Bank and Right Bank; quality is broadly exceptional with structure to age. Availability exists across the spectrum, often at meaningful discounts to 2022 highs. Great for ‘drink or hold’ strategies.

2009 (Bordeaux):
Riper, glamorous wines with huge critical appeal. Prices inflated in prior cycles, but the correction has pruned excess. Choose château by château; prime cellaring histories command premiums, but fair value has returned for top Left Bank and Right Bank bottlings.

2016 (Bordeaux + Italy):
Among the most investable ‘modern classics’. Left Bank 2016 remains a reference point for balance, precision, and longevity; Tuscany 2016 (including Bolgheri) also shines. If you want one core vintage anchor for Bordeaux exposure in 2025, 2016 is the workhorse – especially as prices have softened.

2020 (Burgundy + Tuscany + select Bordeaux):
A high-quality, warm year with strong critic support in many regions. In Burgundy, 2020 reds can be concentrated yet poised; in Tuscany, 2020 offers ripe, polished profiles for Ornellaia and peers. Corrections since 2023 have made select Bordeaux 2020s attractive relative to peak price points.

En Primeur 2024 (context for new allocations):
Not a ‘vintage to chase at any price’, but the pricing is the story: releases down roughly 30% from 2023 at top estates, in several cases the lowest since 2014. If you buy En Primeur in 2025, do it for value vs readily available back vintages and only for estates with a clear historical discount at release.

Producers to watch in 2025

Les Carmes Haut-Brion combines small volumes, soaring critical trajectories, and a style that has captivated collectors. Pricing cooled with the market – use corrections to build modest positions with strict provenance.
Piedmont rarities with widening global followings, like Roagna’s single-vineyard Barbarescos and Barolos and Bartolo Mascarello. Watch for select back vintage offers post-correction.
Bolgheri peers beyond the ‘Big Three’ such as Le Macchiole Paleo and La Messorio, Tua Rita Redigaffi, and Soldera.
Select white Burgundy domaines with stronger availability (e.g. PYCM, Leflaive, Dauvissat). There is renewed interest in mature whites amid the broader correction.

Fine wine market 2025: why timing matters

Several data points contextualise 2025 positioning:

Market performance: Liv-ex’s broad Fine Wine 1000 is down 10.1% over one year and 20.9% over two years, illustrating the size of the reset. H1 2025 specifically saw the Fine Wine 100 fall roughly 4.4%, below the trade’s own start-of-year expectations.
Investor demand: Our primary research among wealth managers in both the UK and US showed they expect fine wine demand to rise this year – the highest expectation across luxury assets – despite the price falls. That tells you professional allocators are eyeing the dip.
Trade news: Quarterly round-ups from the wine trade echo the general market softness, highlight pockets of strength and cross-asset diversification appeal.

How to invest in fine wine in 2025

Favour maturity or proven classics over speculative juveniles. The 2024-2025 buyer trend is toward ready-to-drink, mature vintages at corrected prices; that’s often the cleanest risk-adjusted exposure right now.
Cross-check new releases vs back vintages for value. If the new release isn’t clearly cheaper than equal-or-better scored back vintages, skip it.
Diversify by region and producer style. Italy’s relative resilience helps balance Burgundy/Bordeaux cyclicality; include Champagne/Rhône sleeves if your strategy allows.

Key takeaway: best fine wines to invest in 2025

2025 remains a buyers’ market. Liquidity is uneven, but the combination of cheaper Bordeaux, normalised Burgundy, and resilient Super Tuscans offers a compelling entry point. The market correction is still visible in the broader benchmark indices, but the best names at the right vintages and prices are being quietly accumulated again.

View our full Fine Wine Investment Guide.

FAQs: Fine wine investment in 2025

1) Is fine wine a good investment in 2025?
Yes. 2025 remains a buyer’s market after a multi-year correction. Returns will be driven by selectivity (region/producer/vintage), provenance, and a longer holding period rather than quick flips.

2) Which regions offer the best value right now?
Bordeaux (mature back vintages), Burgundy (disciplined buys; mature whites and select 2019–2020 reds), Italy (Super Tuscans with steady liquidity), Champagne (early stabilisation), and California (GBP strength vs USD creating entry points).

3) How long should I hold investment wine?
Plan for 5-10+ years. Liquidity varies, but blue-chip Bordeaux can require 10-20 years to peak; Super Tuscans and Champagne often realise value earlier. Shorter holds increase friction and pricing risk.

4) What’s the minimum budget to start?
Practically, £5k-£25k builds a diversified starter portfolio.

5) En Primeur or back vintages – which is better in 2025?
Often back vintages: you avoid waiting, see real critic consensus, and can compare prices like-for-like. Buy En Primeur only when the release clearly beats equivalent back vintages.

6) How important is provenance and storage?
Critical. Favour in-bond stock, original cases, full paper trails, professional storage, and inspection photos.

7) How do currency and tariffs affect returns?
FX can add or subtract several percentage points. Tariff and duty regimes differ by route and change over time.

8) How do I manage liquidity?
Diversify across regions and styles and buy wines with established secondary market depth.

Tags 2025 fine wine investment, fine wine investment, investment-grade wines, wines for investment, wines to invest in

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Ten of the most expensive wine brands in the world (2025 Edition)

Post author By Emma
Post date August 5, 2025
No Comments on Ten of the most expensive wine brands in the world (2025 Edition)

When it comes to fine wine, prestige, rarity, and provenance often drive its value – and in the upper echelons of the market, a handful of brands consistently command staggering prices. Whether prized for their historical significance, microscopic production volumes, or cult-like global following, these wine estates represent the pinnacle of luxury and investment potential.

In this 2025 refresh, we explore ten of the most expensive wine brands in the world based on average price per bottle, auction records, and consistent placement in investment portfolios.

1. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) – Burgundy, France

Most expensive wine: Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Romanee-Conti Grand Cru

Average case price: £212,246

Ten-year performance: +138%

Often considered the Holy Grail of wine, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti consistently tops the list of the world’s most expensive brands. With vineyards rooted in Grand Cru Burgundy terroir and production capped at painfully low quantities, demand vastly outstrips supply. The Romanée-Conti monopole, in particular, sees bottles fetching upwards of £100,000 at auction. In 2018, it broke records when the 1945 vintage sold for $558,000 (£422,663) at a Sotheby’s auction in New York.

2. Liber Pater – Graves, Bordeaux, France

Most expensive wine: Liber Pater

Average case price: £142,237

Ten-year performance: N/A

Perhaps the most controversial wine brand on this list, Liber Pater makes microscopic quantities of Bordeaux wines using rare pre-phylloxera varietals alongside classic regional grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, and ancient winemaking methods. With production of just a few hundred bottles, and a fierce commitment to historical authenticity, Liber Pater has redefined scarcity and pricing. However, the wine’s investment potential is debatable. The owner and winemaker, Loïc Pasquet, says: ‘I take care, myself, where I sell my wine because I want to be sure they are not on the secondary market. I want to be sure people buy and drink’.

3. Domaine Leroy – Burgundy, France

Most expensive wine: Domaine Leroy, Richebourg Grand Cru

Average case price: £117,178

Ten-year performance: +522%

Led by Lalou Bize-Leroy, Domaine Leroy offers some of the most fastidiously biodynamic and low-yield wines in Burgundy. Its Musigny, Richebourg, and Romanée-St-Vivant bottlings are among the rarest – and priciest – in the world. The brand consistently tops Liv-ex’s Power 100 list – a ranking of the most powerful wine brands in the world – based on a combination of year-on-year price performance, secondary market trade by value and volume, number of wines and vintages traded, and average price of the wines in a brand. Leroy itself has been a big driver behind Burgundy’s rising share of the investment market.

4. Domaine Jean Louis Chave – Rhône, France

Most expensive wine: Domaine Jean Louis Chave, Hermitage, Ermitage Cathelin

Average case price: £62,771

Ten-year performance: +191%

A name revered in the Northern Rhône and far beyond, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave represents the pinnacle of Hermitage winemaking. With a family lineage stretching back to 1481, the estate combines centuries of tradition with exacting modern standards. Its flagship Hermitage Rouge, a masterful blend of parcels including Le Méal, Les Bessards, and L’Hermite, is one of the most celebrated and age-worthy Syrahs in the world. Even rarer is the Cuvée Cathelin, produced only in exceptional vintages and released in microscopic quantities. These wines can fetch upwards of £5,000 per bottle, placing it among the rarest wines of France.

5. Screaming Eagle – Napa Valley, USA

Most expensive wine: Screaming Eagle, Cabernet Sauvignon

Average case price: £37,466

Ten-year performance: +84%

No list would be complete without California’s cult wine crown jewel, Screaming Eagle. Its Cabernet Sauvignon is produced in minuscule quantities and sold primarily through an exclusive mailing list – allocation only. First released in the early 1990s, it’s now an ultra-luxury brand synonymous with elite American wine. In 2000, it broke the record for the most expensive wine sold at auction with a 6-litre bottle of its 1992 vintage sold for $500,000 (£378,815) at the Napa Valley Auction.

6. Château Petrus – Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

Most expensive wine: Château Petrus

Average case price: £30,655

Ten-year performance: +61%

Made almost entirely from Merlot, Château Petrus leads the Right Bank in both quality and price. The vineyard’s unique terroir, characterised by an iron-rich clay soil known as ‘crasse de fer,’ is considered a crucial factor in the wine’s distinctive character and depth. The brand enjoys legendary status among wine investors and critics alike, with top vintages like 1982, 2000, and 2009 often commanding five-figure sums per bottle.

7. Le Pin – Pomerol, Bordeaux, France

Most expensive wine: Le Pin

Average case price: £27,957

Ten-year performance: +78%

Tiny, exclusive, and almost mythically rare, Le Pin is one of the most coveted names in Bordeaux and the world. Situated on just 2.7 hectares in the heart of Pomerol, Le Pin was virtually unknown until the late 1970s, when Belgian entrepreneur Jacques Thienpont purchased the land and began producing micro-parcel Merlot in a garage-like setting. Le Pin swiftly ascended to cult status, helped by sky-high critic scores, minuscule production, and a hedonistic, opulent style that captivated the market. Made entirely from Merlot and produced in quantities of only 500 to 600 cases per year, Le Pin is the ultimate Pomerol rarity.

8. Krug – Champagne, France

Most expensive wine: Krug, Clos du Mesnil

Average case price: £16,027

Ten-year performance: +123%

Synonymous with prestige in the world of Champagne, Krug blends traditional craftsmanship with luxurious finesse. While the non-vintage Krug Grande Cuvée already sits at the top end of the NV market, it’s the single-vineyard bottlings – Clos du Mesnil (Blanc de Blancs) and Clos d’Ambonnay (Blanc de Noirs) – that elevate Krug into the investment realm. With just over one hectare under vine and extremely limited production, Clos du Mesnil represents one of the rarest and most coveted bottlings in Champagne. Each vintage is vinified separately and aged extensively in Krug’s cellars before release, often emerging more than a decade after harvest. The result is a wine of remarkable tension, mineral depth, and ageability, commanding prices that rival top Burgundy whites and outperforming many in terms of demand and investment potential.

9. Giacomo Conterno – Piedmont, Italy

Most expensive wine: Giacomo Conterno, Barolo, Monfortino Riserva

Average case price: £11,651

Ten-year performance: +183%

Widely regarded as the benchmark for traditional Barolo, Giacomo Conterno is a name that commands deep respect. The crown jewel of the estate is the Barolo Monfortino Riserva, which has seen prices rise 183% on average in the last decade. Fermented in old wooden vats and aged for up to seven years in large Slavonian oak casks, Monfortino’s scarcity and critical acclaim have made it one of Italy’s most sought-after wines.

10. Henschke – Eden Valley, Australia

Most expensive wine: Henschke Hill of Grace

Average case price: £8,205

Ten-year performance: +148%

One of Australia’s most storied and respected family-owned wineries, Henschke has been producing wine in South Australia’s Eden Valley since 1868. Now in its sixth generation, the estate is led by Stephen and Prue Henschke, who have turned it into a pioneer in biodynamic viticulture and a benchmark for site-driven Australian wine. While Henschke produces a range of acclaimed wines, its global reputation is anchored by a single, sacred site: Hill of Grace. First bottled in 1958, Hill of Grace is sourced from a tiny, pre-phylloxera vineyard planted in the 1860s – among the oldest Shiraz vines in the world. Hill of Grace is made only in exceptional vintages, and with limited production – sometimes fewer than 2,000 cases – it has become one of the most collectible and expensive wines from the Southern Hemisphere.

For a deeper look at wine investment opportunities in top-tier producers, explore Wine Track, or speak with our team about sourcing bottles from these benchmark estates.

Tags Barolo Monfortino Riserva, Burgundy fine wine, Château Petrus wine price, collectible wines, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC), Domaine Leroy Richebourg, high-end wine producers, Hill of Grace Henschke, Krug Clos du Mesnil, Liber Pater wine, luxury wine brands, most expensive wine, most expensive wine brands, Pomerol wine, rare Bordeaux wines, Screaming Eagle wine, top wine brands 2025, wine auction records

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The rise of wine influencers and the power of the brand: Bordeaux Diaries Part II

Post author By Emma
Post date July 29, 2025
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Explore the rise of wine influencers and how Bordeaux estates balance authenticity, identity, and changing consumer expectations.

As wine criticism continues its transformation, a new force has emerged alongside traditional voices – the influencer. While formal critics retain a place of authority, many Bordeaux estates now acknowledge that digital personalities play a growing role in shaping perceptions, influencing purchases, and spreading the message of wine.

Influencers now shape opinions through social media, though their messaging often lies outside producers’ control.
Bordeaux estates are prioritising authenticity and estate identity.
Producers increasingly view the customer as the ultimate judge, trusting loyal drinkers over trends.

How wine influencers are shaping modern criticism

The majority of the chateaux interviewed by WineCap referred to the widespread use of social media as a tool in the wine critique space, recognising the parallel role of influencers to conventional commentary. Several also noted that quality and precision of influencer messaging was usually beyond a producer’s control, and not as accessible for them to engage with or oversee as traditional critique.

Château Pavie, Premier Grand Cru Classé (B), Saint-Émilion

‘Robert Packer was definitely the most influential critic in the world of wine, and for Bordeaux particularly, and he’s actually done a lot of good things for Pavie, because he scored us 100 points four times in ten vintages, which is quite unique in Bordeaux,’ Olivier Gailly, commercial director at Pavie explained to WineCap. ‘Since he retired, we’ve seen more and more wine critics. Actually, almost every day we see new critics who are quite influential within his or her community or his or her country.’

Gailly described such personalities as ‘half influencer, half critic’.

‘We have to adapt. There is a lot of social media and there are influencers throughout this medium. The most important thing is to make sure they relay the right messages. They relay the truth of our terroir, of what the team is doing, and they talk through to the work we do with quality.’

Château Pape Clément, Grand Cru, Pessac-Léognan

‘The role of critics and journalists remains, but in my opinion, Parker was the best taster. I’ve never known any that were better, more precise, more honest in their decisions,’ said Bernard Magrez from Château Pape Clément. ‘Now, there are not just journalists but also influencers. There’s digital media that features a lot of short but quality programmes, with the mission to advise wine lovers.’

‘These programmes are often made by quality people, but not always,’ Magrez added. In any case, they provide the service of engaging with consumers, so they do not ‘make a mistake when choosing wine’.

Estate identity and customer loyalty in modern wine marketing

As the wine world becomes increasingly noisy with a blend of critics, influencers, and online commentary, many producers are returning to the fundamentals: authenticity, estate identity, and customer loyalty.

Château Saint-Pierre, Fourth Growth, Saint-Julien

‘It is sometimes so difficult to handle, that we think that the main thing is to simply be proud of what we produce,’ explained owner of Château Saint-Pierre Jean Triaud to WineCap. ‘During En Primeur, there are maybe 30, 40, or even 50 people telling us they can offer influence for the wine. You get professionals, but you also get all the guys you don’t know writing online and maybe followed by, I don’t know, 100,000 people.’

Triaud said it was impossible and undesirable to produce wine that everybody liked. ‘So, we try to keep the identity of the wine and what the family wants to do.’

Château La Conseillante, Pomerol

‘Since Parker retired, the world of journalists has changed a lot. Now we do not have one journalist, we have a lot of journalists with different tastes,’ said Marielle Cazaux, general manager of Château La Conseillante. ‘So, for me, the wine has to keep its identity with all these different journalists. Before, with Parker, you had to just please one taste. Now it’s more and maybe it is a good thing’.

Château Beychevelle, Fourth Growth, Saint-Julien

Philippe Blanc, general manager at Château Beychevelle, was adamant that the customer, and not the critic, was “king”.

‘The role of wine critics is very important but, as I am a very rude person, I said to somebody one day in London at a seminar that the most important people were the customers and not the journalists. Everybody laughed in the room, but I still believe that,’ he told WineCap. ‘Journalists are extremely important, they are knowledgeable, they are good guides but I think the best guide you can get is a customer himself. Now, if you need help, you can follow some journalists that you trust.’

With a multitude of journalists and influencers today, Blanc said he was not sure one single person took the lead. ‘I think as customers, you have to find the people you feel good with and then stick to them – but the most important thing is to open a bottle, to share it with friends and see if you like it and you give the mark you want then. It is important to feel comfortable with what you taste and not to follow somebody like you follow the shepherd’.

Château Lynch-Bages, Fifth Growth, Pauillac

Perhaps the most direct remark about putting house identity first in today’s complex wine critique space came from Jean Charles Cazes, CEO of several properties, including Château Batailley and Château Ormes de Pez alongside Lynch-Bages.

‘We have had a consistent style and consistent practices over generations. I think it is important that you follow your style because fashions always evolve and change. If you try to follow the fashion, it will be out of date very quickly. So, we follow our own path.’

In today’s fast-moving and fragmented wine commentary landscape, the critic no longer reigns alone. Influencers bring reach and relatability, digital media expands access, and consumers themselves wield increasing influence over what succeeds. Yet amid this evolution, Bordeaux’s finest estates are charting a steady course – staying true to their identity, their terroir, and the loyal customers who bring their wines to life in glasses around the world.

See also our Bordeaux I Regional Report.

WineCap’s independent market analysis showcases the value of portfolio diversification and the stability offered by investing in wine.

Start your wine investment journey with WineCap’s expert guidance.

Tags alternative investment, Alternative Investments, Bordeaux, bordeaux estates, brand, critic score, critic scores, critics, Fine Wine, guide for investors, Robert Parker, wine brands, wine critic, wine influencer, wine influencers

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Is Champagne’s investment market bouncing back?

Post author By Emma
Post date July 22, 2025
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After a long correction, Champagne is showing early signs of recovery. Discover which brands are stabilising and why now may be the time to invest in Champagne.

In June 2025, the Liv-ex Champagne 50 index saw its first monthly rise in a year, suggesting stabilisation across top brands like Dom Pérignon, Krug, and Taittinger.
Our analysis of 50 flagship vintage Champagnes shows widespread price flatlining, indicating consolidation.
With rising demand seen in its market share, Champagne may offer early-cycle upside potential for fine wine investors looking for value and brand prestige.

After more than a year of price corrections, Champagne’s investment market may be turning a critical corner. June brought a notable shift: the Liv-ex Champagne 50 index was the first regional fine wine index to post positive month-on-month growth, rising 0.8%. Though modest, the move could signal a broader turning point when seen in the context of individual brands’ performance within the region.

Champagne’s market performance

Over the past five years, Champagne’s market performance has resembled a game of two halves. From March 2020 to October 2022 – a span of 31 months – prices rose steadily, climbing 93.9% to reach a record high. In the 31 months since that peak, they have steadily declined, falling 34.7%. The index is now trending at 2021 levels. However, following a period of consolidation, June marked its first monthly gain in a year, with a modest rise of 0.8%.

Coinciding with the broader Champagne market recovery, several of the region’s most iconic wines are beginning to show signs of renewed investor confidence.

To validate this emerging trend, WineCap analysed the ten most recent vintages of the five most-searched Grand Marque Champagnes (often considered some of the best Champagne for fine wine collectors):

Dom Pérignon: 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003
Cristal: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
Salon Le Mesnil: 2013, 2012, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2002, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1995
Krug Vintage: 2011, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1995
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2000

Of these 50 reference-point wines:

43 have seen arrests to their price declines
40 have remained stable for at least six months

Aggregate brand indices are flatlining – a classic sign of consolidation.

Dom Pérignon led the stabilisation trend, with its index bottoming out in November 2024, while Krug and Taittinger have more recently entered plateau territory, indicating synchronisation across the broader Champagne landscape.

Demand for Champagne is back on the up too. Just in Q2 (see our Q2 Fine Wine Report), the region experienced a full cycle, with US demand temporarily retreating on tariff threat in April, to climb back up over May and peak in June. Year-to-date, the region’s market share on Liv-ex is above 2024 levels.

Early signals for a recovery cycle

This alignment of brand-level stability and regional index uplift could mark the beginning of a new investment cycle for Champagne. It’s a phase where prices consolidate before potentially trending upward, as supply scarcity and brand equity reassert themselves.

Investor sentiment is beginning to reflect this reality. Liv-ex data shows Champagne’s market share by value has risen to 12.4% year-to-date, up from an annual average of 11.8% in 2024. This re-engagement suggests confidence in Champagne’s medium-term upside potential.

Champagne’s investment appeal

Champagne’s investment appeal lies in its accessibility and worldwide distribution. Despite economic difficulties, Champagne is still seen as a celebratory tipple, enjoying consumption as well as investment interest. The region today features more than just brand prestige – its fundamentals are strong, with critical acclaim, ageing potential, scarcity, and collector loyalty.

With prices now having corrected to more attractive entry points, many of the region’s flagship wines offer value relative to their historic highs.

If current trends hold, Champagne may become the first major fine wine region to re-enter growth territory, outpacing peers who are still midway through correction. For investors seeking diversification or cyclical opportunity, the signs are clear: Champagne may be popping again soon.

See also: Champagne Investment Report

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Q2 2025 Fine Wine Report

Explore key trends in the Q2 2025 Fine Wine Market Report – from Trump’s proposed tariffs to Bordeaux En Primeur 2024, index performance, and standout wines like Chave Hermitage and Screaming Eagle. Discover where value and stability are emerging.

Executive summary

Trump’s proposed tariffs dominated headlines, yet the delayed implementation gave markets breathing room.
The Liv-ex 100 index declined 3% in Q2 but showed signs of levelling off by quarter-end.
Bordeaux En Primeur 2024 was met with weak demand driven by oversupply and collector preference for mature vintages.
Regional performance diverged, with Bordeaux and Burgundy leading declines, while Champagne showed signs of stabilisation.
Top-performing wines defied broader market trends, with double-digit gains from names like Chave Hermitage 2021, Château d’Yquem 2014, and Screaming Eagle 2012.
Fine wine remains in a correction phase, but select names, regions, and vintages continue to offer compelling investment opportunities.

The trends that shaped the fine wine market

Global markets adjust as tariff volatility eases

President Trump’s revival of protectionist trade policies set the tone for global markets in Q2. From January to April, the average U.S. tariff rate on imported goods like cars, steel, and aluminium surged from 2.5% to a century-high 27%, before easing to 15.8% in June.

While the March tariff threat initially triggered sharp volatility, the fallout was relatively short-lived. Early April brought a brief dip into bear territory for the S&P 500 on tariff fears. But with policy pauses and stronger-than-expected earnings – 78% of S&P companies beat forecasts – investor confidence returned. Equities in Europe and Asia rallied as well, with the FTSE 100 testing new highs. Corporate investment, especially in AI, remained robust despite political and fiscal uncertainty.

This broader resilience helped buoy alternative assets like fine wine. While less liquid than stocks, fine wine saw continued interest from long-term investors. Crucially, there was no evidence of panic selling – a sign of confidence in the asset class’s underlying stability.

Telling signs of stability in the fine wine investment market

The pace of fine wine price declines slowed in the second half of the second quarter, although the market is not yet in full recovery mode. On average, fine wine prices as measured by the Liv-ex 100 index, dipped 3% in Q2 2025. The index has been in a freefall since September 2022, seeing only five minor upticks during this time. Meanwhile, the Liv-ex 50, which tracks the performance of the Bordeaux First Growth, has been in a consistent decline during the last 33 months.

Still, the recent falls have been less pronounced, and prices for many of the index component wines have maintained their new levels without falling further. The market seems to be adjusting to the new environment, with participants showing greater acceptance of the status quo and reduced sensitivity to geopolitical noise. In Q2, demand even began to resurface, particularly from Asia, which has been notoriously quiet, and the U.S., which had initially retreated due to tariff fears.

Muted demand for Bordeaux En Primeur 2024 as market shifts for mature wines

With the market still absorbing past vintages and saturation setting in, enthusiasm for Bordeaux En Primeur 2024 was notably subdued. Despite reduced release prices, the wines often failed to offer compelling quality or value when compared to older vintages readily available on the secondary market.

Bordeaux’s structural challenges persist. Negociants remain overstocked and weighed down by rising bank interest, while many merchants lack the appetite or capital to buy for stock. Meanwhile, the once-crucial Chinese market remains largely dormant.

This muted campaign reflects a broader shift in buyer behaviour. Demand has tilted decisively toward mature wines with a track record of quality and drinkability. While the short-term appeal of buying young futures has faded for now, Bordeaux’s reputation for ageability and long-term value endures.

Fine wine vs mainstream markets in H1 2025

While mainstream equity markets swung between bear and bull phases in Q2, the fine wine market charted a notably more stable path. Fine wine prices declined modestly over the period, but without the sharp drops or rallies seen in the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial, or FTSE 100. The contrast, seen in the chart above, reinforces fine wine’s reputation as a lower-volatility asset during times of heightened macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty.

Importantly, this steady decline was not marked by panic selling or dramatic shifts. This reflects the market’s structural differences: lower liquidity, longer holding periods, and a collector-investor base that prioritises wealth preservation over short-term trading.

Moreover, beneath the surface, outliers and outperformers remain. Read on to discover where relative value has emerged, and which regions and producers have shown resilience – or even strength – so far this year.

Regional fine wine performance: year-to-date trends

The first half of 2025 has revealed consistent pressure across nearly all fine wine indices, with no region posting growth year-to-date. Yet the degree of decline varies.

Bordeaux and Burgundy lead declines (-5.6%)

Both the Liv-ex Bordeaux 500 and Burgundy 150 have posted the steepest year-to-date losses among the major indices, each down 5.6%. For Bordeaux, this reflects tepid interest in younger vintages and a sluggish En Primeur campaign, coupled with a lack of support from Asia. Burgundy continues to correct from previous pricing spikes, as buyers recalibrate in search of better relative value.

Auction results defy the indices

While Bordeaux and Burgundy’s regional indices posted year-to-date declines of -5.6%, recent auction results tell a different story at the very top end of the market.

In June 2025, Christie’s held a landmark sale of the personal wine collection of billionaire collector Bill Koch, generating a record-breaking $28.8 million over three days. The sale drew global participation and intense bidding across 1,500 lots, each of which was sold. The standout was a 1999 Romanée-Conti Methuselah, which fetched an eye-catching $275,000.

The collection featured rare Bordeaux and Burgundy – the very categories currently under pressure in secondary market indices – yet buyer appetite was strong, and prices exceeded estimates across multiple lots.

Champagne shows relative stability

The Champagne 50 has held up better than most, down just 4.9% year-to-date, and was the only region to show positive month-on-month growth in June (+0.8%). While the broader category has cooled after a strong run, interest in top names remains, especially among collectors focused on prestige and scarcity. Indeed, many of Champagne’s top brands now represent the best entry point into the region in years. Prices have stabilised, and there are signs they will not fall any further, but might start to rise again.

Broader weakness across other regions

Rest of the World 60 is down 5.0%, showing soft demand beyond the mainstay regions.
California 50, also down 5.6%, mirrors this trend and highlights ongoing sensitivity to U.S. economic and tariff concerns.
Italy 100 has dropped 3.3%, suggesting a more measured pullback, consistent with the region’s reputation for offering value and dependable quality.
Bordeaux Legends 40 and Rhone 100 are holding up best, with declines of only 2.6% and 2.5% respectively. This speaks to market confidence in mature Bordeaux and Rhône’s reputation for steady, value-driven performance.

As the fine wine market works through broader corrections, defensive regions – particularly Rhône and mature Bordeaux – are outperforming, while Burgundy and California remain under pressure. Champagne’s recent bounce may signal early signs of selective recovery. For investors, opportunities may lie in regions demonstrating resilience rather than those still working through valuation resets.

The best-performing wines so far this year

Despite broad declines across regional indices, a select group of wines delivered standout returns in H1 2025, highlighting the importance of producer reputation, scarcity, and vintage specificity in fine wine performance.

The Rhône leads driven by Chave

The top-performing wine was Domaine Jean Louis Chave’s 2021 Hermitage Rouge, which rose +36.8% in the first half of the year. This outperformance stands in stark contrast to the overall Rhône 100 index, which declined 2.5%. Over the last decade, prices for the brand are up 127% (compare its performance to other market benchmarks on Wine Track).

Château d’Yquem 2014 and Château Suduiraut 2016 returned 25.7% and 23.9% respectively, bucking the downward trend in Sauternes. On a brand level, Yquem has risen 7% in the last six months and 3% in Q2; Suduiraut is up 11% in H1 2025. These results signal renewed collector appetite for premium dessert wines – particularly in top vintages where quality and longevity are indisputable – yet prices remain relatively low.

Prestige investment opportunities in Napa and Champagne

The California 50 index fell 5.6%, but iconic Napa cult wine Screaming Eagle 2012 rose 24.4%, affirming the strength of globally recognised, ultra-luxury labels. Indeed, average prices for the brand rose 5% in H1 2025. Similarly, Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill 2015 posted a 24.4% gain, demonstrating that top-tier Champagne continues to attract collectors even as the Champagne 50 index overall declined.

Burgundy and Tuscany standouts reinforce blue-chip strategies

Despite Burgundy’s broader correction, DRC’s La Tâche 2020 and Clos de Tart 2013 delivered 24.5% and 18.1% returns respectively. These names remain benchmarks of rarity and prestige. Meanwhile, Soldera Case Basse 2018 gained 14.3%, pointing to sustained momentum behind top Italian producers. In Q2 alone, prices for the Tuscan premium brand are up 11%; in H1, 16%.

Investor takeaways

Market-wide declines don’t mean universal losses. Select wines not only held value but also delivered double-digit returns.
Rarity and recognisability remain key drivers. Names like Chave, Yquem, Screaming Eagle, and DRC continue to offer portfolio resilience.
Smart vintage selection pays. Wines from underappreciated years – like Canon 2014 – produced outsized gains relative to their pricing base.
Dessert wines are back on the radar. Contrarian plays in Sauternes may offer continued upside in H2 2025.

Brands to watch

Signs of a Champagne revival

After being the fine wine market’s standout performer in 2022, Champagne experienced one of the sharpest pullbacks during the broader market correction of 2023–2024. However, signals suggest the tide may now be turning again.

From peak to pause: A market in transition

Prices across the Champagne sector have fallen significantly from their highs, but the sell-off appears to have run its course. June marked a notable shift: Champagne was the first regional index to post positive month-on-month growth, rising +0.8%, a potential inflexion point after months of stagnation.

More importantly, price stability has returned. The sector’s recent performance suggests we may be entering a new phase of the Champagne investment cycle, where prices consolidate before a potential recovery.

Market data signals stabilisation

To test this trend, we analysed the 10 most recent vintages of the five most-searched “Grand Marque” Champagnes:

Dom Pérignon: 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003
Cristal: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
Salon Le Mesnil: 2013, 2012, 2007, 2006, 2004, 2002, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1995
Krug Vintage: 2011, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1995
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2000

Of these 50 individual wines,

43 have resisted their price declines,
40 have remained stable for at least six months,
the indexes aggregating their vintages confirm this plateau.

Notably, Dom Pérignon has shown the earliest and most sustained stabilisation, with its index bottoming out in November 2024. Krug Vintage and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne are the most recent to enter this stable phase, suggesting broader alignment across the category.

A new phase for Champagne?

This pattern of index symmetry and brand-level stabilisation is a clear signal that Champagne may be transitioning from correction to consolidation. Investor sentiment appears to be catching up to underlying fundamentals, with many of Champagne’s leading brands now offering compelling re-entry points. Liv-ex market share data supports this trend:year-to-date, Champagne has taken 12.4% of the market by value, up from an annual 2024 average of 11.8%, signalling that demand is returning.

If this trend holds, Champagne could become one of the first major regions to re-enter positive growth territory, supported by brand power, vintage scarcity, and collector loyalty.

Q3 2025 market outlook: A pause before the pulse?

The third quarter – traditionally the quietest in the fine wine calendar – arrives amid a tentative calm. Following the volatility of Q2, Q3 is shaping up to be more subdued but not without potential catalysts.

Tariff watch

President Trump’s planned tariffs, originally slated for Q2, have now been delayed until August 1st. Markets have so far responded with a muted shrug, suggesting either tariff fatigue or confidence that negotiations may temper the final impact. But the uncertainty remains a live wire: should enforcement proceed, volatility could resurface late in the quarter. For now, however, investors appear cautiously indifferent.

La Place de Bordeaux’s autumn window

With the Bordeaux 2024 En Primeur campaign having underwhelmed, attention now turns to La Place de Bordeaux’s autumn campaign. This presents a rare chance for standout producers from around the world to seize attention, particularly those releasing back vintages or special bottlings. A well-priced, tightly-curated campaign could reignite interest and provide pockets of momentum in an otherwise quiet market.

Rest of the World builds buzz

As traditional strongholds like Bordeaux and Burgundy continue to correct or stagnate, Rest of the World wines are beginning to command more attention. California, Tuscany, and Rhône producers featured prominently among H1’s top performers, and collectors may increasingly look to these regions for value, scarcity, and differentiation in the second half of the year.

A stable market… but will it rise?

Fine wine’s reputation for stability held firm in H1, avoiding the sharp swings seen in equities. The question now is whether this stability will give way to price appreciation. While some wines are poised to rise, we expect the broader market to remain sluggish through the summer. Liquidity typically thins in July and August, and the broader mood is unlikely to shift meaningfully until September.

What to watch

Tariff developments post-August 1st
Autumn releases on La Place, especially non-Bordeaux
Top Champagne brands starting to rise in value
Collector appetite for emerging regional stars
Signs of rotation from defensive to opportunistic buying behaviour

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