Rare Burgundy wines are set to feature in Christie’s upcoming ‘Luxury Week’ in May and also in its Finest and Rarest Wines and Spirits sale in June. Spring heralds warmer weather, new growth and for one of the world’s most famous auction houses, a series of auctions that include some of the finest wines, watches, jewellery and handbags ever produced.
Christie’s Auction House
Last year’s sales of luxury items at Christie’s was incredibly successful, topping just over $980m and the highest since 2015. Interestingly, 35% of buyers across all categories were new to the business and 32% of them were millennials, according to Christie’s CEO Guillaume Cerutti. It’s these new buyers that are driving the current buoyancy at the top end of the luxury auction market and that continue to push prices up on rare, collectible wines. What’s more, Christie’s has heavily invested in technology, a move brought about by the pandemic, in order to livestream auctions.
All eyes will no doubt be focused on the upcoming rare Burgundy auction in June. It’s sure to be a real highlight as all of the 45 lots have been brought above ground from the deep, vaulted cellars of King’s College Cambridge. King’s College is said to have one of the most well respected cellars out of all of the university colleges and a real heritage when it comes to wine as its University Wine Society was founded in 1792. The college bought all of the wines on release from UK importer Richards-Walford and the cases were then moved to the university’s cellars, where they have remained since then. Only four wine stewards have been appointed in the past two centuries and their enviable role is to act as the cellar’s guardians and curate its collection.
A Wine Investor’s Dream
The 45 lots are set to feature rare Burgundies from such highly sought-after producers as Henri Jayer and his nephew Emmanuel Rouget, who is now the proprietor of some of Jayer’s most famous vineyards. Wines from these producers are expected to hail from such revered appellations as Echézeaux and Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux. Bids are sure to reach eye-wateringly high amounts for stand-out wines from a region that has tiny production levels.
Speaking about the upcoming auction, Adam Bilbey, Christie’s Global Head of the Wine and Spirits Department commented: “The hallowed cellars of King’s College, Cambridge are steeped in such history and tradition that this sale will garner the imagination and attention of wine lovers around the world. This small glimpse into the King’s College cellar will most certainly be a highlight of Christie’s wine sales this season”.
Want to find out more about rare Burgundy wine? Download our Burgundy report and discover why the region and its producers’ wines command some of the world’s highest prices.
