Wine delivery, online tastings, and virtual happy hours have become the new norm across the global wine industry. As Jeff Goldblum famously said in 1993, life finds a way and well, the same can be said for wine. The market continues to grow in depth and expanse; so far in April, there has been a record amount of distinct wines with either a bid or offer.
Despite the strengthening of Sterling and the uncertainties around Covid-19, the Fine Wine 50 finished the week at 321.96, up 0.01% on last week’s close.
Bordeaux (33.1%) once again fell to its lowest weekly share, breaking last week’s record (36.1%). Just three years ago, in 2017, Bordeaux was making up 67% of trade by value, but as offerings continue to expand on Liv-ex, the once dominant region is relinquishing some of its prowess.
Italy (19.5%) was led by Super Tuscan Masseto, while Champagne (10.6%) increased its share thanks to multiple trades of the 2012 vintage.
Others (17.5%) accounted for its largest share on record, led by Australia (8.6%), French Brandy (3.10%) and Germany (2.9%).
Ducru Beaucaillou 2014 led trade by value and was second most traded in terms of volume. Neal Martin, when writing for Robert Parker in 2017, scored the wine 96 points saying, “it is just a damn good Saint Julien”. But when he revisited the wine 2018, he downgraded the score to a 95, exclaiming the wine is “fine, but it needs a couple more years in bottle.”
Liber Pater 2010 last traded at £22,212 per 12×75. Famously, Liber Peter released the 2015 vintage at £26,600 per bottle, making the 2010, in some eyes, appear good in value.
Spotlight on Leflaive
Liv-ex looked at the history of famous white Burgundy producer Domaine Leflaive and how it has fared against the overall market. With its 300 years history, varying range of wines and abundant critical acclaim, Leflaive has enticed buyers for centuries and is well positioned in the centuries to come.
The year so far
It’s no surprise that the top price performers in Q1 come from the best performing Liv-ex indices. As for the top traded wines by value, the majority came from Bordeaux, though the region was unable grab the top spot.
