Tag: Fine Wine

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Burgundy 2022: a promising vintage in a challenging market

  • The 2022 vintage boasts high quality and quantity – ‘the largest crop in 23 years’.
  • It is being launched in a downward market, following ten months of consistent price declines.
  • As demand has tempered and stock has (re-)entered the market, the success of the upcoming releases will largely depend on pricing.

Burgundy’s 2022 vintage is being launched in a downward market, following ten months of consistent price declines. The success of the upcoming releases will largely depend on pricing, but will its quality and quantity have the potential to turn the tables?

Critical opinions on Burgundy 2022

Critic reports thus far have been overwhelmingly positive, applauding both the quality and the quantity of the vintage. 2022 marks the largest crop in 23 years, with some producers seeing double the yields of the previous year. According to Matthew Hayes (JancisRobinson.com), ‘across the whole of Burgundy, 2022 offered a whopping 75.4% more wine (red, white and crémant) compared with 2021’.

Contrary to expectations, the vintage produced wines with typicity, purity, and freshness despite the extreme weather. Hayes commented that ‘2022 was the second-hottest year that the Côte d’Or has endured this century and should logically have followed in the footsteps of the equally stifling solaire years of 2019 and 2020, producing wines with rich, deep fruit profiles and vibrant acidities to ensure long life but […] the wines show a generally impeccable balance of tidy, ripe fruit, discreet acidity and equally (and mostly) refined tannins’.

Hayes revealed that ‘the best-sited and best-rooted vines appeared to have coped well with the heat and in the Côte d’Or the excellence of the top premiers and grands crus shines clearly’.

The prevailing opinion is that 2022 is an excellent year for white wines, reminiscent of 2017 and 2020. Meanwhile, tasting notes from the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits highlighted dense red wines with well-integrated tannins, simultaneously offering elegance and concentration. The wines are expected to be approachable in youth but with significant ageing potential.

However, the market onto which they are released is just as important as the releases themselves.

The current market for Burgundy

In October 2022, the Liv-ex Burgundy 150 index reached an unprecedented peak, marking a staggering 809.4% increase since its inception in December 2003. Twenty years later, Burgundy remains the best-performing fine wine region.

However, since its peak, prices have tumbled 17.4%. This decline has been attributed to various macroeconomic factors that led to a shift in investor sentiment. As the economic landscape became more uncertain, fine wine buyers have grown increasingly risk-averse, causing a contraction in demand for more volatile investments.

This trend was particularly pronounced in Burgundy, which had soared too high across the whole spectrum. At these stratospheric prices, the market saw more sellers than buyers, with investors keen to liquidate their stock. Top-tier Burgundy (re-)entered the market as sellers were looking to make gains.

This perception of increased risk and a preference for stability among investors led to a decrease in Burgundy’s trade share by value. The falling prices further exacerbated this trend.

Burgundy fine wine prices

The market conditions present a challenging backdrop for the high-quality high-quantity Burgundy 2022 En Primeur campaign. Will the excitement of the new be enough to stimulate demand?

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.

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Can fine wine investment balance crypto volatility?

Cryptocurrency
  • 31% of Brits are setting resolutions to organise their finances in the new year.
  • One of the most talked-about investments – cryptocurrency – attracts with the potential for high returns but also carries high risk.
  • Offering smoothness and stability, fine wine can balance crypto volatility.

As we welcome in the new year, 31% of Brits are setting resolutions to organise their finances. For many this will mean investing. But where should they invest? And how risky is too risky?

In this article, we dive into one of the most talked-about high-risk investments – cryptocurrency. We explore the pitfalls and what investors can do to mitigate them. We also look at how fine wine – our favourite asset – can complement volatile investments like crypto to help smooth overall performances.

11,000 cryptocurrencies… and counting

Most people are familiar with Bitcoin and Ethereum, the two most popular digital coins. However, there are nearly 11,000 cryptocurrencies, with more issued every day. Some are eye-wateringly volatile. At the time of writing, for example, KILT-USD has jumped nearly 25% in just three months. Meanwhile, others are much steadier.

StableCoins are considered the sturdiest as their market value is pegged to mainstream fiat currencies like the US dollar. This means that their worth should – in theory – be the same as the everyday money in our wallets. But the reality can be different.

StableCoins and de-pegging events

Even the most trusted StableCoins – Tether, USD Coin, Multi-Collateral Dai, Binance and USDP dollar – stray away from the dollar value from time to time, known as ‘de-pegging’.

SPGlobal identified 13 core triggers: market volatility, liquidity stress, reserve impairments, mismanagement, demand and supply imbalances, loss of investor confidence, competitor performance, design flaws, hacking, operational risk, limited adoption, regulatory uncertainty and market events can all de-peg StableCoins, leading to erratic and volatile performances.

Risk and return profile of StableCoins

StableCoins are full of promise, but they are also incredibly young. The oldest StableCoin, Tether, is just nine years old. Although regulators are scrambling to offer investors more security, they are still some way off.

Buying asset classes before they have matured presents both risks and opportunities. Higher risk opens the door for higher rewards, but when things go wrong, the fall-out can be fatal. Famously, in May 2022, Terra’s StableCoin crashed dramatically, costing investors $450+ billion. Shortly after came FTX fall, plummeting a further $200+ billion. The aftermath left thousands of investors badly out of pocket with little to no regulatory protection.

For years, regulators like the FCA have been warning investors not to invest too much in crypto, as worrying surges of people lose their entire life savings to this digital asset.

A dire need for diversification

To avoid losing everything in one sweep, investors should spread their money across assets with distinctive characteristics and revenue streams. This process, known as diversification, means the gains from some investments cancel out the loses from others.

Without personal financial advice, it is impossible to say how much of a portfolio should be invested in crypto. However, as a rule, experts have warned against investing more than 5% of wealth. Some even cap the limit at 2%.

Similarly, investors should probably limit other risky assets too. Meme stocks, commodities, derivatives or trending collectibles can all derail a portfolio if they make up more than 10%.

Pairing fine wine and crypto

Unlike digital assets, fine wine moves slowly but surely. Since the end of 2003, the performance of the top 1000 fine wines (according to the Liv-ex 1000 index) has crept little-by-little up by a whopping 315%. But since the rise is smooth and gradual, it does not feel volatile or erratic.

Month-on-month the average fine wine index value rarely changes by more than 5%. By contrast, between the 25th of September and the 25th of October alone, Bitcoin fluctuated by over 30%.

These properties could make fine wine an excellent partner for crypto assets, like StableCoin. The steadfastness of fine wine can help to slow and flatten the rollercoaster effect of crypto has on a portfolio.

Contrasting sources of value

Aside from smoothing volatility, there are other reasons why fine wine could pair well with crypto. One of the strongest is the value source.

Crypto is not backed by a real asset. Some experts argue that the energy used to create a coin is its value. But it is generally agreed that the value of crypto comes from the wider market and the potential that others see in it. So, when the market is in turmoil, prices plummet.

By contrast, fine wine gains its value intrinsically. Put simply, the premise of wine investment is that as fine wine ages, its quality improves, and prices rise. The market operates with its own dynamics based on vintage quality, scarcity and global demand. Whether it’s bullish, bearish or something else, fine wine is still treasured and sought-after.

In this respect, crypto and fine wine investments could pair beautifully. Fine wine offers smoothness and stability. Meanwhile, crypto offers investors higher risk-reward potential and quick liquidity.

Investing responsibly

StableCoins are surging in popularity. Governments, institutional investors and regulators all dipped their toes into crypto over the past months, indicating that further expansion could be around the corner.

This might lead to more growing pains and continued volatility. For those who chose to invest in this young asset, diversification is crucial. Examples of assets which are less affected by the stock market include property, gold or fine wine. We feel that the characteristics of fine wine pair especially well with crypto, helping investors to hedge against volatility risk and smoothen their overall performances.

If you would like to talk to us about investing in fine wine, we’re just a few clicks away.

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Fine wine sustainability report (Part III): profiling the sustainable investor

  • There is an overlap between sustainable and fine wine investors as both share a long-term vision and increasingly similar demographics.
  • 56% of investors are attracted to fine wine because it is a sustainable asset class with a low carbon footprint.
  • Environmental, social and financial sustainability is one of the five characteristics that distinguishes fine wine from other beverages.

This is the third part of our ‘Fine wine sustainability report’. See also part I – how is fine wine sustainable and part II – how can fine wine mitigate risk in a sustainable portfolio. 

There is already some cross-over between sustainable and fine wine investors. The demographics are getting closer all the time.

The most active sustainable investors today are millennials (the group currently aged between 27 and 42). More specifically, the majority of them are entrepreneurs and legacy builders. Likewise, within the world of fine wine, research from Sotheby’s in 2022 found that 35% of new buyers are under the age of forty. This is the second consecutive year of millennials betting on fine wine as the figure hit 37% in 2021.

Fine wine investments can take around ten years to mature, but often take longer to reach scarcity returns. This means that most investors are collecting long-term legacy assets, just like many sustainable investors. The overlap that already exists between ambitious sustainable and fine wine investors is promising. We believe it will continue to grow for the future.

There is already a burgeoning movement of sustainable investors buying fine wine. Our 2023 survey found that 56% of investors are attracted to fine wine because it is a sustainable asset class with a low carbon footprint. Although fine wine has many investment qualities, we believe that the best-suited sustainable investors are those who are looking to hedge against volatility or inflation risks over the long-term. Some investors have religious or personal barriers to investing in fine wine, and in this situation, the asset may not be suitable.

An insatiable passion for change

Is there any industry more determined to adapt and mitigate against the climate crisis than fine wine? The dogged and ruthless determination of winemakers is as inspirational as it is impressive. With floods, forest fires and droughts ripping through the planet, we need every innovation from every industry. Nothing should be discounted. And sustainable investors should be given every possible opportunity to mitigate against risks.

The fine wine industry is rapidly evolving its stance on the planet, with biodiversity, climate adaption and mitigation taking centre stage. Environmental, social and financial sustainability is one of the five characteristics that distinguishes fine wine from other beverages. It is now a defining feature at the heart of every vineyard, nestled in every bottle. What’s more, the Sustainable Wine Roundtable launched a framework for identifying and categorising sustainability in wine in 2023. Now investors have more layers of security than ever before that their investment matches their ethics.

Depriving investors of fine wine would not just leave inflation and stability gaps in portfolios, it would undermine the vital work of an evolving industry. As powerful as it is passionate, this is an asset that packs a seriously low-carbon punch in sustainable portfolios.

“A fine wine is complex, balance, with a potential to age – though highly drinkable at every state of its development. It has the capacity to provoke emotions and wonder in the one drinking it, while reflecting the expression of truth intended by its maker. It is widely recognized, while being environmentally, socially and financially sustainable.”

Areni

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Fine wine sustainability report (Part II): how can fine wine mitigate risk in a sustainable portfolio?

  • The second part of our report focuses on how fine wine can mitigate risk for sustainable investors.
  • By blending sustainability-linked bonds with fine wine, investors can shield some of their wealth from inflation while having access to a regular income stream.
  • The steadiness of fine wine can help to smooth out the overall performance of sustainable portfolios, hedging against the volatility risks of impact investments.

Fine wine has many qualities that make it an environmentally and socially sustainable asset, as discussed in the first part of this report. And we believe that it can offer even more value as a hedge for sustainable portfolios. Just as with traditional investing, each investor is different. However, there will be some common themes and risks. In this section, we analyse how fine wine interacts with some of the most popular sustainable investments, and where the assets can become greater than the sum of their parts.

Sustainability-linked bonds

For businesses to become sustainable, they will usually need to pay for new infrastructure. This is where bonds come in. Investors finance the projects and receive a regular income from the repayments and interest (known as coupons) over a set period of time. There are many examples of corporate and sovereign green bonds, but probably the most impactful is Orsted.

In 2017, Orsted raised 1.25 billion euros from investors to successfully transition from brown to green energy. The bonds last until 2029. Since then, Orsted has been named the world’s most sustainable company. Today 91% of the energy it creates comes from renewable sources. The aim is to be at 99% by 2025. For context, worldwide this accounts for just 13% of energy. Orsted has also just released a blue bond, which focuses on marine life and oceans.

Sustainability-linked bonds can be built around society as well as the environment. Research by Goldman Sachs found 65% of investors are interested in social bonds, with 29% already invested.

Bonds are a good and relatively low-risk way for investors to generate an income while doing good. But there are some downsides. The main issue is that as bonds set a fixed repayment schedule years – sometimes decades – in advance, inflation can reduce the purchasing power of the income over time. In a usual market environment, central banks aim to keep inflation levels to around 2% or under, which is priced into the bond. However, in recent years, it has shot up to double digits. This can slash real returns for investors, and potentially put them off green bonds.

We believe that fine wine can help to hedge against the inflation risk of sustainability-linked bonds. The two assets complement each other well, as fine wine is less liquid but inflation resistant. By blending bonds with fine wine, investors can shield some of their wealth from inflation while having access to a regular income stream.

Impact investments

There are some businesses and organisations that make a clear and measurable change, while delivering returns for investors. Some environmental examples include investments in sustainable waste management, building renewable energy plants or businesses producing meat alternatives. There are also social movements; for example, venture capitalist firms investing in women and people of colour, affordable housing developers or accessible childcare services. When investments make tangible improvements, they are usually known as impact investments (because they make an impact).

While impact investments can be almost any asset class or risk level, in general they tend to be on the riskier side. By their nature, they are usually fairly new ventures, and can also be subject to incoming regulations. This could mean that the stocks spring and plunge, making sustainable investors nervous.

Fine wine, by contrast, is a low-risk asset with little volatility. We feel that the steadiness of fine wine can help to smooth out the overall performance of sustainable portfolios, hedging against the volatility risks of impact investments.

Overall positioning in a portfolio

Fine wine should not be the star of the show, but more of a supporting act. It is often best placed as a hedge against other sustainable or impactful assets, especially those with inflation or volatility risks. Generally, wealth managers and investors keep fine wine allocations under 10% of the total portfolio.

Stay tuned for Part III – profiling the sustainable investor.

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Fine wine sustainability report (Part I): how is fine wine sustainable?

  • Fine wine offers a sustainable investment option, which is increasingly recognised by wealth managers.
  • The industry is proactively adapting to climate change, with practices like regenerative farming and reducing bottle weight. 
  • Fine wine’s focus on social sustainability, including worker welfare and community support, boosts its appeal as a sustainable investment choice, aligning with modern ESG criteria.

Floods, fires and famine are no longer on our doorstep, they have already crossed the threshold into normality. In the first eight months of 2023 alone, the USA suffered 23 separate billion-dollar climate disasters. Research shows that by 2050, floods in Europe will increase five-fold.

Alongside climate disaster comes human suffering, ever-growing wealth gaps and loss of livelihoods. The homes of indigenous tribes are deforested to clear space for oil drilling. The most vulnerable find their communities and businesses flooded. Meanwhile, social inequality rachets up with poor climate policies.

Investors are all too aware of the damage. A 2023 study by Harvard found 85% ask their advisors about sustainable investments. While some groups – particularly millennials – have become activists themselves, using their shareholder votes to force change. So where does fine wine come into this?

Although ethical investing has been around for centuries, climate-focused sustainable investing is strikingly new. The insatiable demand we see today is less than a decade old. Between 2016 and 2020 alone, sustainable investing in Europe, USA, Canada, Australasia, and Japan swelled by 55%. Even though it is a multi-trillion industry, ‘Sustainable Investment’ still doesn’t even have a definition in most parts of the world. Because of this, the movement has borrowed a lot from pre-existing rules, which were mostly religious.

For centuries, our sustainable investment has been built on the foundations of Quaker and Methodist beliefs. This explains why alcohol, or to quote John Wesley ‘that liquid fire’ has been prohibited from almost all ESG (environmental, social, governance) funds – even when fossil fuel producers, fast fashion and plastic polluters made it on the list.

However, we believe this is a mistake. Fine wine offers extraordinary sustainable benefits to investors, especially when it comes to balancing out the risks of green bonds and risky impact investments. Not only does fine wine contribute to a greener future (it is a natural product after all), but this asset class can also plug vital strategic gaps, giving sustainable investors even more confidence. The time has come to give fine wine the credit it deserves.

How is fine wine sustainable?

While there is no universal definition of a ‘Sustainable Investment’, the European Union has made significant headway. According to the EU taxonomy, an environmentally sustainable investment must contribute significantly to one of the following, without jeopardising the others;

  • Climate change mitigation
  • Climate change adaption
  • Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources
  • Transition to a circular economy
  • Pollution prevention and control
  • Protection and restoration of biodiversity

We believe that fine wine not only meets this criterion but exceeds it. Vineyards rely on a stable climate, fertile soil and regenerative farming. From using free range ducks and sheep instead of pesticides to replacing heavy glass with lighter alternatives, the environmental innovations in the wine industry are never-ending.

Climate change mitigation and circular economies

To secure a safer future, every efficiency counts. The most carbon-intensive part of fine wine production is making and transporting the heavy glass bottles that contain the wine. According to one Sustainable Wine Roundtable report, this accounts for over half of the total environmental impact of wine. Simply by reducing the bottles from 550g to 420g would cut 25% of carbon emissions.

Although dense packaging has long-been associated with quality, European fine wine producers are throwing themselves into this trend. Burgundy producer, Albert Bichot, for example has reduced the bottle weight from 700-750g to 450g. According to one interview, the producer also uses only recycled glass and biodegradable labels. Even Champagne – which typically uses thicker glass – is experimenting. Bollinger, for example, is committed to a 7% reduction in bottle weight by 2029, as well as to use only recycled and recyclable materials.

Another area for improvement is energy efficiency throughout the manufacturing process. Here, fine wine has achieved far more than other industries. Almost every fine wine producer we could find has taken significant steps to reduce emissions dramatically. One of our favourite examples is Ornellaia. 2022 saw this winery slash liquefied petroleum gases usage by 98% with biomass heat. Today the entire firm uses the equivalent of 5% of the average family of four household over a year. Ornellaia has also blended nature with technology by installing a Building Management System to ensure that the temperature is efficiently set.

Climate change adaption, sustainable use of water and protection of biodiversity

World-famous flavours are at risk from climate change. As Comité Champagne report, temperatures are now 1.8 degrees higher than in the 1980s, meaning grapes are at risk of bursting prematurely or drying out. They now need to be picked thirty days earlier, potentially cutting the characteristic tastes short. Fine wine producers have been rigorousness and brave, proactively innovating in the face of the climate crisis. Not only do these innovations help cool down and protect the precious vines, but they also offer investors significant environmental benefits too.

One of the most widespread practices in fine wine vineyards now is the use of regenerative farming. Rather than using typical organic practices, which can still harm pollinators, producers are leaning into nature. Sheep roam around some vineyards picking off bugs organically, and often, horses are put to work instead of tractors.

Sustainability at Pontet Canet

Significantly, many fine wine producers such as Château Cheval Blanc plant diverse fruit and forestry trees between the vines. This helps to shade the grapes, sequester carbon and provide homes for vital pollinators. The fungus which grows around the roots of the trees also soaks up water, acting as a pump, pushing nutrients into the vines.

Water irrigation is one of the hottest topics for today’s fine wine producers, with many now working with their natural landscapes to find the best solutions. Vineyards are increasingly planting or shifting vines along the contours of the land, to prevent run-off during heavy rainfalls. They are also adding ground covers to prevent evaporation, keeping the soil damper and more nutritious.

The adaptions are coming thick and fast, as vineyards experiment with new grapes, and alternative locations. Northern France, the UK and Germany are fast becoming viable options for fine wine in this new climate, with producers are always one step ahead of the curve.

Social sustainability

Sustainability is about more than preserving the environment. It is also about protecting workers and supporting local communities. Although the fine wine industry is not as advanced in this area as it is with environmental sustainability, frameworks and strong voices are beginning to emerge. As one wine producer puts it:

‘Do we farm organically because it’s better for the environment? Certainly. Do we farm organically because it makes better-tasting wine? Without question. But the most important reason to farm organically is because the lives of the people who work in the vineyards, and the people who live downstream, matter.’

Caring for the environment and biodiversity also has far-reaching effects on local life. Vineyards continue to play a vital role in the culture and traditions of their local communities. Recently the Comité Champagne proposed a series of tangible solutions to improve the lives of the region’s 120,000 harvest workers. We are also seeing a general trend of permanent contracts for employees, as well as a sharp focus on improving diversity at board levels. While there is certainly work to be done in this space, the general trajectory looks promising.

Stay tuned for Part II of our Fine Wine Sustainability Report, in which we discuss how fine wine can mitigate risk in sustainable portfolios – coming next week.

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The impact of Mouton Rothschild’s artist labels on market value

  • This Friday will see the artist label announcement of Château Mouton Rothschild’s 2021 vintage.
  • Over the last ten vintages, the average price increase in the month following the announcement has been 5%, signalling a potential investment opportunity.
  • The 2000 vintage illustrates the power of the special label, perfectly weathering market downturns.

Every year, Château Mouton Rothschild commissions a different artist to produce the label for their Grand Vin. The tradition began in 1945 when Baron Philippe de Rothschild decided to celebrate the end of World War II by creating a special label featuring a ‘V’ for victory, designed by Philippe Jullian. Since then, the list of alumni has included the likes of Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Jeff Koons, Anish Kapoor, Lucien Freud, and Wassily Kandinsky. This Friday will see the label reveal of the 2021 vintage.

How has the label announcement impacted prices?

Over the years, this innovative approach has turned the Mouton Rothschild labels into a fusion of fine art and fine wine, making each bottle a highly desirable collector’s item. What’s more, prices for Mouton Rothschild have consistently increased in the month following the announcement.

The increase averages just under 5% over the last ten vintages. The 2012 vintage, with a label by Miquel Barcelo, rose the most, up 14.9%, followed by the Xu Bing’s 2018, up 12.6%. Last year’s label reveal of the 2020 vintage drove prices 8.6% higher in a month. There has been only one exception to this pattern with the 2015 vintage, down 4.3%. However, the wine is still up 11% since release.

In the last decade, prices for the brand, represented by our Mouton Rothschild index, have risen 44% on average.

Which are the best value labels today?

While there is a strong investment case for the Grand Vin, which vintages offer the best value today? The 2020 boasts 100-points from The Wine Advocate and is 13% cheaper than the other 100-point 2016 vintage. Its price rose 8.6% after the label announcement, which was designed by Peter Doig.

The 2021 is the most affordable recent release with a current Market Price of £4,400 per 12×75. However, given the trend of price rises post-announcement, one can expect potential changes.

Otherwise, buyers might wish to look back at the 2019 vintage, which received 100-points from Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (The Wine Independent) and 97 points from Neal Martin (Vinous). The wine’s label, ‘The solar iris of Mouton’, was created by Olafur Eliasson.

The case of the 2000 vintage

If there is one special bottle that illustrates the power of art driving prices, it is that of the 2000 vintage. The bottle itself features an intricate gold engraving of the famous ram (Mouton) of the Rothschild coat of arms and stands out for its elegance and symbolic significance.

Mouton Rothschild 2000 weathered the Bordeaux market downturn of 2011-2014, when prices for the other First Growths fell sharply. The label continued to enjoy heightened demand in the Asian market, which only increased in 2015 – the year of the sheep, according to the Chinese zodiac. The wine has risen close to 750% in value since its release – an investment case that speaks for itself.

The innovative tradition of artist-designed labels by Château Mouton Rothschild not only merges the worlds of fine art and winemaking but also significantly elevates the market value, making them coveted treasures for collectors and investors alike.

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.

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Special report – 2023’s big investment themes: fine wine and beyond

Our latest report, 2023’s big investment themes: fine wine and beyond, has now been released. The report looks at the key themes that defined markets this year, from interest rates to sustainability. It positions fine wine within a broader investment context and analyses the key events that influenced its performance.

Report highlights:

  • Tech, interest, and sustainability came to define markets in 2023.
  • The stock market bounced back, and technology stocks rallied as the world became fascinated with generative AI.
  • In a bid to cool down the red-hot inflation levels, the Bank of England cranked up interest rates 14 times.
  • As central banks increased interest rates, they also began to stockpile gold.
  • In the UK, interest rates reached the highest point since 1998. This signalled an end to the era of cheap borrowing, which could limit growth for some economies.
  • 2023 saw the rush of demand for green bonds – borrowing money to finance sustainable projects.
  • Sustainability drove fine wine demand among investors and led to other positive developments in the wine industry.

 

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Price ratio: comparing regional First Growths

  • We compare the price performance of Château Lafite Rothschild to other regions’ respective ‘First Growths’.
  • The rising ratio highlights the increased value to be had in the Bordeaux First Growths.
  • Today, one can get 29 bottles of Lafite for the price of Romanée-Conti and almost five for Pétrus and Screaming Eagle.

How many bottles of Château Lafite Rothschild can one get for the price of other regions’ respective ‘First’ wines?

With changing market dynamics at play that have seen the balance between Bordeaux and other regions change, we examine the price ratio between some of the most popular investment-grade wines.

Below we compare the performance of the Bordeaux First Growth Château Lafite Rothschild to Burgundy’s highest echelon Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, the Super Tuscan Sassicaia, the Right Bank Château Pétrus, the Californian cult wine Screaming Eagle, and the most in-demand Champagne, Dom Pérignon. These are all wines that symbolise and even transcend their geography.  In the same way that Lafite has long been the mainstay of Bordeaux, the other wines are bellwethers for their regions.

The ratio between these wines is somewhat reflective of broader trends within their respective regions. Over the last decade, the ratio has risen consistently, highlighting the increased value to be had in the First Growths, as other regions gather momentum.

How many bottles of Lafite for the price of DRC?

Today, one can get on average 29 bottles of Lafite Rothschild for the price of Romanée-Conti. The ratio has risen considerably since 2013 when one could buy just 14 bottles of Lafite for one DRC. It peaked in December 2022, when it stood at 30:1.

As the chart below shows, the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti index hit a record high in December last year. Meanwhile, the Lafite index has not seen any of the price volatility witnessed by DRC. Year-to-date, prices for both labels have dipped but the fall has been sharper for DRC.

The DRC:Lafite price ratio is somewhat reflective of broader trends within their regions. In the last decade, Burgundy emerged as Bordeaux’s main contender. After Bordeaux peaked at the end of the China-led bull market in 2011, buyers started to seek out other corners of the fine wine world and it was Burgundy that attracted the greatest attention. The allure of rarity and quality meant that demand quickly outstripped already tight supply. Prices for Burgundy peaked, while Bordeaux ran quietly in the background.

For Bordeaux, the period between 2013 and 2015 saw contraction at the tail end of the Chinese correction. The market turned again in October 2015, and since then, Lafite Rothschild has been the second-best-performing First Growth, with some vintages doubling in value. However, it has not managed to catch up with Burgundy’s stellar rise.

Left vs Right Bank

It is also interesting to compare performance within Bordeaux’s Left and Right Bank. Today 4.6 bottles of Lafite gets you a bottle of Château Pétrus, up from 3, ten years ago.

As the chart below shows, Lafite and Pétrus have followed a similar trajectory up to September 2021, when prices for the First Growth flattened while Pétrus continued its rise.

Similar to Burgundy, rarity plays a key role in Pétrus’ appeal and investment performance. Pétrus is produced in much smaller quantities (around 3,000 cases per year) compared to Lafite (around 25,000 cases). Despite commanding a higher price tag, the wine has considerably outperformed Lafite in the last decade.

Dom Pérignon vs Lafite Rothschild

Recent years have seen a surge in Champagne’s market share and price performance. This has been reflected in the performance of its most traded label – Dom Pérignon.

Produced in much larger quantities than Lafite and more widely available, Dom Pérignon has started to catch up with the First Growth. In the last decade, the ratio between them has doubled – from 0.2 to 0.4.

Champagne prices, with Dom Pérignon at the helm, have made considerable gains since the early 2020s. In the last decade, our Dom Pérignon index is up 120%, compared to 20% for Lafite.

Sassicaia vs Lafite Rothschild

Similarly, the Super Tuscans have been getting more expensive. The most liquid and heavily traded group of Italian wines, their performance has been further boosted by critical acclaim and brand strength, with Sassicaia at the helm.

The ratio between Sassicaia and Lafite has risen from 0.2 ten years ago to 0.42 today.

As the chart below shows, Sassicaia has seen stable and consistent growth. 2019-2022 was a period of upheaval for the brand, which benefited from excellent vintages that captured investors’ interest.

Screaming Eagle vs Lafite Rothschild

The price ratio between Screaming Eagle and Lafite Rothschild tells a story of increased volatility, which can largely be ascribed to the Californian cult wine. Screaming Eagle has seen bigger price rises, followed by sharper falls.

Today one can now get 4.8 bottles of Lafite for the price of Screaming Eagle, up from 2.7 a decade ago. The ratio peaked in February 2022, when it stood at 5:1.

California has enjoyed serious investment interest which has been reflected in its market share. Today the region holds around 7% of the fine wine trade by value and is the most important New World player.

While Lafite has come to represent better value when compared to other top wines, this is largely due to shifting regional market dynamics. The First Growth continues to entice buyers with brand strength, high-quality releases and returns on 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.

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The rise of fine wine as a stable and sustainable investment

A version of this article written by WineCap’s CEO Alexander Westgarth was first published by Forbes.

  • A popular alternative investment, fine wine can plug the gaps left by struggling assets, helping to steady and raise performance across a whole portfolio.
  • As a tangible asset, fine wine delivers stability in uncertain times.
  • Part of the rising demand for fine wine can be attributed to environmental factors.

Between April 2020 and September 2022, the average bottle of fine wine rose 43.5% in value. While the fine wine market has dipped and corrected since, the general trajectory has historically pointed upwards.

Since 2004, Liv-ex data shows that the average bottle price tag has risen by 329.9%. While it can be a good investment, better still, fine wine is a great means to plug the gaps left by struggling assets, helping to steady and raise performance across a whole investment portfolio. Earlier this year, WineCap conducted a survey where we found that 92% of U.S. wealth managers believe demand for fine wine will increase over the next year. This is for three main reasons, and below we outline how to best take advantage of this asset’s potential for stability, sustainability and profitability.

Stability in uncertain times

We live in uncertain times. In the last year, businesses have had to cope with rocketing energy bills, inflation and interest rates. In times of hardship, people want something solid. This is why tangible assets like property, gold or fine wine tend to feel more precious during market downfalls. WineCap found that 56% of wealth managers invest in wine to add stability to portfolios across different market conditions.

It is not only wine. Across the entire investment landscape, there is an increased demand for reliability. In the past few months, gold prices have been rallying too. When the gold prices go up, this often indicates that investors are looking to preserve their wealth and shield it from market shocks.

At the same time, investors have been shying away from bullish investments like technology stocks. Apple, for example, has suffered significant dips. Microsoft shareholders have endured wobbly turbulence (though, at the time of this writing, the company is beating financial expectations). Likewise, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite has been on a rocky ride over the past months.

As the choppy waters continue, many investors want steady ships to ride out the storm – not fancy speedboats. With its historically low volatility, fine wine delivers just that. Unlike stocks or bonds, fine wine prices do not tend to fluctuate massively as the market operates with its own dynamics. Regions like Champagne are currently seeing high levels of demand, not only because of the quality of the wines but the stability the region has historically offered.

Similarly, wines from Bordeaux, Tuscany and the Rhône may be more solid. However, not all fine wines are made the same. Extremely rare and highly coveted wines from Burgundy, for instance, can make a great investment but remain a riskier asset if stability is what you are after.

Demand for environmentally friendly assets

Our survey also found that investors are prioritising environmentally friendly assets, and 56% say they invest in fine wine because it is a sustainable asset class with a low carbon footprint. This trend is hardly surprising; 2023 has been the hottest summer on record.

Dozens of wildfires are actively blazing through the USA. Meanwhile, elsewhere, the excess water caused by melted ice caps means that flooding and torrential rains are washing away entire communities. In August, flash floods tore through Pennsylvania, killing five people. Naturally, investors are keen to put their money into assets that will mitigate some of the climate risks.

Part of the interest in fine wine can be attributed to environmental factors. Vines promote healthy soil quality and nourish pollinators, which are essential for biodiversity. A hector of vineyard soaks up a respectable 2.84 tonnes of carbon every year. The best winemakers use age-old sustainable practices. Many will even opt for a pony and cart rather than disturb the terrain with a tractor.

Some well-known organic producers include Burgundy’s Domaine Leflaive and the Bordeaux Fifth Growth, Château Pontet-Canet. While not officially certified, Burgundy’s Domaine de la Romanée-Conti also follows organic and biodynamic guidelines. Meanwhile, some producers are reducing bottle weight in pursuit of sustainability such as Burgundy négociant Albert Bichot, which has reduced the weight of their bottles from around 700 grams to 450 grams.

Climate-conscious investors can keep an eye out for wineries investing in a greener future.

Strong returns

According to our survey, almost half of the investors choose fine wine because they want strong returns. Historically, fine wine has offered generous returns over long periods without sacrificing quality or environmental qualities. Access to historical data, critic scores and current prices can help an investor identify whether a wine represents a good opportunity. Things to look out for include brand prestige, price per point, investment appreciation over different time frames and drinking windows. One can also get help from experts who understand the intricacies of the market, utilize the latest technology and closely follow the trends.

Stability, sustainability and profitability

Today’s investors are looking for stability, sustainability and profitability. Different from last year, they are often less prepared to invest in edgy technologies for the future. Instead, many are looking for solid investment results – ideally, ones they can hold. Fine wines fit this demand well. Although it already features in 45% of HNW portfolios, with average allocations of 13%, fine wine looks set to become even more popular. Like a classic vintage Champagne, the market is ready to pop.

Thanks to its diversity and growing attention from experts, producers and enthusiasts, fine wine could be well-placed to meet investors’ changing priorities in the years to come.

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.

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The place of the Bordeaux First Growths in a changing fine wine market

  • Once the dominant force in the fine wine market, the Bordeaux First Growths have lost market share due to its broadening.
  • In the last decade, Château Mouton Rothschild has been the best price performer, up 43.2%.
  • Château Haut-Brion offers the best value, with the highest average critic score and the lowest average price per case.

The Bordeaux First Growths in a broadening market

The Bordeaux First Growths have long been the cornerstone of the fine wine investment market. Back in 2010, they made up close to 90% of all Bordeaux trade by value – at a time, when Bordeaux’s share of the total market stood at 96%.

With the broadening of the market, their share has decreased and they now regularly account for around 30% of all Bordeaux secondary market trade (which itself has fallen below 35% annual average).

This trend was also reflected in the 2022 Power 100 list, which offered a snapshot of the ever-changing landscape of the secondary market. For the first time ever, no Bordeaux wines featured among the top ten most powerful fine wine labels.

Even if trade for these brands remains consistent or increases, the First Growths are facing greater competition. Still, they are among the wines with the greatest liquidity, attracting regular demand and high praise from critics year after year.

First Growths’ price performance

In terms of price performance, the five First Growths have followed a similar trajectory (i.e. rising post-Covid and dipping in the last year in line with the current market reality). The relative outcast has been Château Latour, whose performance was impacted by the decision to leave the En Primeur system in 2012. The wine has been the worst-performing First Growth, up just 17.9% in the last decade.

The best performer has been Château Mouton Rothschild, with an increase of 43.2%. Recent releases have elevated the performance of the brand, like the 2020 vintage, which boasts 100-points from The Wine Advocate’s William Kelley, 99-100 from James Suckling, 98-100 from Jeff Leve and 99 from Antonio Galloni (Vinous). ‘Off’ vintages like 2011, 2013 and 2014, which have greater room to rise, have also fared well over the last five years.

The second-best performer has been Château Margaux, which is also the second most affordable First Growth. Similarly, its biggest price risers have been 2014, 2011 and 2013. Less classical years reveal the strength of these brands, as demand for the First Growths remains consistently high regardless of the vintage.

First Growths’ price and score comparison

The table below shows the average price per case and critic score of the First Growths for vintages since 2000.

Château Haut-Brion tops the list with the highest average score (95.9) and the lowest average price per case (£4,595). With a price per point of £48, the wine seems to offer the best value among the First Growths. Vintages that have received 100-points from The Wine Advocate include 2018 (LPB), 2016 (LPB), 2015 (LPB), 2009 (LPB) and 2005 (RP).

Looking at the average prices, Château Lafite Rothschild stands out as the most expensive of the First Growths. The wine has achieved 100-points from The Wine Advocate for its 2019 (WK), 2018 (LPB), 2010 (LPB) and 2003 (RP) vintages.

In conclusion, the First Growths remain an important part of the changing secondary market, offering brand strength, consistently high quality and stable growth.

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.