Lafite surge sends fine wine index soaring

03 September, 2009

Fine wine prices saw their biggest monthly increase for more than two years last month, according to Liv-Ex.

The company’s Fine Wine Index– which monitors the price of 100 of the most sought-after fine wines –rose by 4.6% in August to 225. The index has increased just over 10 per cent in the year to date.

The increase is being spurred by Lafite Rothschild, which has benefited from a strong following in Asian markets, particularly Hong Kong and China. Demand from this region has seen various vintages of the wine make all-time highs, with 1982 selling for £24,000 a case and 2000 for £12,500 a case.

 Director James Miles said: “August is usually a quiet time in the fine wine trade, so this rise in prices, combined with healthy trading on the Liv-ex Fine Wine Exchange, are encouraging signs for the market.

 “Although the market is currently being driven by Lafite, it was interesting to note that August saw this demand broaden out to a number of its Bordeaux peers. It’s still early days, but if this trend continues the second half of 2009 could be a strong one for fine wine.”

The Liv-Ex Index is now only 14% off its all time high, set in June 2008. Prices fell by up to 25% after the collapse of Lehman brothers, but have since partially rebounded. In the past five years the index has increased 133%, a performance bettered by none of the major share indices or gold.





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