The world’s top Champagne vintages – 1988, 1996 and 2002 – have consistently shown great appreciation and continued steady growth over the years. Over a two-year period to August 2014, these vintages have collectively risen 10.2%.
With the investment market looking for alternatives to Bordeaux, vintage Champagne offers volume production, worldwide distribution and prestige that Burgundy and Italy struggle to compete with.
According to Liv-Ex, between 2011 and 2013, the Champagne index increased 11.9% and its share of trade increase from 1% to 2.3%.
Champagne is relatively affordable when compared to similarly evaluated Bordeaux or Burgundy, with the average case price of top vintage Champagnes costing £1,500 compared with Bordeaux First Growths and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti reaching £30,000 and £150,000 respectively.
Champagne offers first time investors a lower entry point and seasoned investors value for money when diversifying their portfolios.
“1999 Pommery Cuvee Louise Brut Millesime, 2002 Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, 2002 Dom Perignon Rose, 2006 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Millesime are our top suggestions to look out for,” said Woolf Sung founder and CEO Sebastian Woolf. “A six-bottle case of the 2002 Salon Cuvee is currently worth £1,650, a low-investment threshold, and we are predicting a 10% growth in the next 12 months.
“I set up Woolf Sung in 2012 to bring fine wine investment to the younger generations by focusing on under-the-radar brands and vintages. Champagne epitomises this ambition and as investors across the board are seeking alternatives to Bordeaux, these brands and vintages are gaining traction in the market as investors and drinkers are looking for value.
“The Champagne market is quickly expanding beyond the traditional favourites, and as the growing Asian markets increase their education in fine wine and look for further prestige, Champagne’s appeal will broaden eastwards.
“With restricted production, increased consumption from growing markets, Champagne’s consistent returns will continue and are likely to increase. We are focusing our efforts on sourcing rare and scarce bottles for our customers. These bottles are almost impossible to source directly from the houses or in perfect condition. The increasing interest in Champagne will ensure these bottles are more sought after, inevitably increasing their value.”
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024