Maximise fine wine performance with market low prices and correct storage to protect future value
Unlike equities or cryptocurrencies, where your holding can be diluted by the issue of more shares or extreme volatility can erase worth overnight, fine wine is a tangible, finite asset that can be seen, held and has ‘real’ value.
As with other alternative assets, provenance and specialist, in-bond storage are essential to optimise value growth over time and to enjoy tax-free returns with fine wine.
So, investors taking advantage of current low prices in a market turning to growth, must also ensure they store their wine appropriately.
Vin-X clients are guided to store their fine wine with the best specialist, HMRC approved storage provider, London City Bond and offer a view on the service provided:
"It's great to see the professionalism and care taken over the storage of our wines. I particularly like seeing our names on each of the cases owned by us."
L. Pomlett, Vin-X Client.
Wine investment priced for growth
The fine wine market is seeing clear evidence of ‘turning a corner’ with strengthening prices and a return to growth after a three-year period of price correction following the Covid bull-run. The latest data reveals individual wines delivering double-digit growth in 2025. Trend analysis across regions shows a broader market upswing.
Top performing wines in 2025 Year-to-Date
| Wine | Growth | Region |
| Bruno Giacosa, Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche Riserva 2014 | 42.4% | Piedmont |
| Chateau Les Carmes Haut Brion 2013 | 39.2% | Bordeaux |
| Chateau Lafleur 2022 | 36.9% | Bordeaux |
| Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2013 | 29.8% | Bordeaux |
| Jacques Selosse Millesime 2010 | 23% | Champagne |
Source: Liv-ex.com, 30.09.2025
Fine wine data illustrating growth
The Liv-ex 100 index rose 1.1% in September 2025, its strongest month since the market peak in October 2022. The Liv-ex Bordeaux Legends benchmark recorded a monthly rise of 1.8% and the regional indices for Burgundy, California, Rhone and the Rest of The World all rose in the broadest upswing in three years.
Fine wine indices turning to growth
| Liv-ex index | Growth September 2025 |
| Liv-ex 100 | 1.1% |
| Liv-ex 1000 | 0.4% |
| Bordeaux Legends 40 | 1.8% |
| Burgundy 150 | 0.7% |
| California 50 | 0.7% |
| Rhone 100 | 0.6% |
| Rest of the World 60 | 0.6% |
Source: Liv-ex.com, 30.09.2025
The latest analysis would suggest the market is starting to move into a new cycle of growth with prices solidifying and more wines now enjoying uplift from market lows as trade levels increase. The fine wine market in Q4 2025 offers significant opportunities for investors to acquire assets for strong future returns.
Fine wine trading activity
Trade levels on the secondary market rose in September to reach the buoyant pre-tariff levels witnessed at the start of 2025. Liv-ex report the following key measures:
- value transacted on the exchange was 9.5% above the Q3 2025 average,
- volume was up 6.4%
- the number of transactions was 4.2% higher
Key wines traded on the secondary market are listed in the Liv-ex 2025 Classification which ranks the most valuable wines by price on the exchange in the last two years.
Top ten most valuable wines in 2025 Liv-ex Classification
| First Tier Top 10 Fine wine | Region | 2025 Average Price* |
| DRC, Romanée Conti GC | Burgundy | £172,461 |
| DRC, La Tache GC | Burgundy | £45,061 |
| DRC, Richebourg GC | Burgundy | £31,960 |
| Chateau Petrus | Bordeaux | £31,124 |
| Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin GC | Burgundy | £24,828 |
| Screaming Eagle | Napa | £23,881 |
| DRC, Echezaux GC | Burgundy | £23,775 |
| Le Pin, Pomerol | Bordeaux | £23,765 |
| Domaine des Comtes Lafon, Montrachet | Burgundy | £23,295 |
| Bollinger, Vielles Vignes Francaises | Champagne | £14,747 |
Source: Liv-ex Classification 2025, published September 2025, * Liv-ex average trade price (12 x 75cl) 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025
Why specialist wine storage matters
The value of fine wine is driven by provenance and the expertise and reputation of the producer. Understanding the history of ownership since first distribution from the estate cellar is crucial for collectors and investors.
Maintaining meticulous records of provenance demonstrates that wine has been held in storage that protects its quality and safeguards against counterfeiting and potential fraud. Most investors will store their fine wine in bonded storage with a supplier such as London City Bond (‘LCB’).
Key for UK-based investment wine is the tax benefits associated with In-Bond storage. HMRC approved storage recognises that the wine is still treated as ‘off-shore’, and that Duty and VAT charges are not triggered until the wine is removed from bond. Most wine investments are sold and transferred within bonded storage and these taxes are therefore not triggered.
Our view on storage
The correct, specialist storage of fine wine is essential to ensure its future quality and for investors to achieve the best possible, tax-free returns. Vin-X clients store their fine wine in bond with our specialist storage partner, LCB.
"We had a great day at LCB in Burton, the warehouse was massive at 13 degrees to keep our wine in optimum condition. Later we were royally entertained at the Vin-X Wine Bar. Warren, our host, was like an encyclopaedia of wine. We left very happy." F. Webster, Vin-X Client.
Our clients visit the LCB storage facility to see their wine when they wish to. We also arrange for our portfolio managers to meet them at LCB to explain their fine wine’s current investment performance and, afterwards, to host them at our Tasting Cellar at Barton-under-Needwood.
For more information about investing in fine wine and storage, see our specialist Guide and speak to our expert team on 0203 384 2262.