Wine Prices

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Wine Prices

Using the data available in Wine-Searcher's database we have looked at the change in prices of first growth Bordeaux over the period June 2001 to June 2006.

Generally, the data shows that:

even in the best vintages, prices of individual wines rise at a different rate.
the absolute price of the same wine differs substantially across vintages, even for vintages which are considered to be equivalent in quality.
prices of wines, whilst generally showing a rise, can also fall.

Below are examples of some first growth Bordeaux vintages:

1982 Bordeaux

The 1982 vintage is described as 'exceptional' throughout Bordeaux and is the vintage of 80s. The wines are now mature.

Table 1: 1982 Vintage First Growth Bordeaux. Price Per Bottle in USD between June 2001 and June 2006 Table 1

Prices have increased over the period, by as much as 123% in the case of Ch. Lafite (the lowest growth rate is Ch. Margaux at 58%). However, it should be noted that not all the wines have increased in value at the same rate.

1990 Bordeaux

1990 was a large (one of the largest crops ever harvested in Bordeaux) and successful vintage.

Table 2: 1990 Vintage First Growth Bordeaux. Price Per Bottle in USD between June 2001 and June 2006 Table 2

The price increases are less variable between the wines than the 1982 vintage. The biggest rise, the Ch. Haut Brion, rose by 90%. The Ch. Latour, on the other hand, shows a rise of only 41%. Note that the overall price of the wines is lower for the 1990 vintage than it is for the 1982.

1997 Bordeaux

The 1997 vintage was, again, an abundant crop. This vintage has been quicker to mature, and is of lesser quality, than others. Many of the wines will be past their best within 10 years. Prices at release were high and the market reacted strongly - by not buying the wines.

Table 3: 1997 Vintage First Growth Bordeaux. Price Per Bottle in USD between June 2001 and June 2006 Table 3

Note here the low overall price of the wines and that they have shown a lower percentage increase in price (between 26% and 45%).

The best vintages have always out-performed the rest. The best Bordeaux vintages of the last 25 years are: 1982, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1996, and 2000.

Search for any wine below, or go to the investing in wine home page.

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