Liv-ex has just published its annual ranking of the top 100 world’s most powerful fine wine brands. This is the tenth edition done in conjunction with trade magazine, Drinks Business, and is now recognized as a useful indicator of individual wine producer, or brand, performance.
The scores are calculated by taking a list of all the wines traded on Liv-ex between 1st September 2014 – 31st August 2015, which are then grouped by brand. These brands are ranked in terms of their year on year performance, total value, volume, and number of different wines and vintages traded, and the average price achieved. Increased buyer diversification registered with a ten percent increase on the number of wines qualifying year on year and the 100 brands in the ranking accounted for 1,750 unique wines and vintages traded in the period.
We were particularly interested to note the following:
- Bordeaux, and First Growths in particular, gained ground on the previous year’s results.
- Mouton Rothschild ranked first across all categories and the top ten comprised Bordeaux with Burgundy’s DRC and Leflaive the exceptions
- St Emilion strengthened its regional importance with Angelus and Pavie ranking 3rd and 4th respectively
- In terms of total value traded on Liv-ex, Lafite still ranks number one, representing 10.17% of the market in 2015. Despite a troubling few years for the mega-brand as a result of the Chinese market dynamic, illustrated in a negative 3.43% movement in price performance, it was still the 5th most traded brand in terms of volume.
- The Super Tuscan attraction in the last year was most meaningfully felt by Sassicaia ranked first in terms of the volume of wine traded on Liv-ex. Ultimately, there is a relatively large supply and it is still very affordable and the market has responded well accordingly. We note on closer analysis though that the ranking was strongly influenced by five large volume trades during the period.
- California’s iconic Screaming Eagle and Scarecrow have continued their market ascendancy and the former is certainly increasingly in demand from Vin-X clients.
Our own focus is on investment-grade wines with strong performance and liquidity in the secondary market being key selection criteria. Comparison with this year’s rankings confirms that our clients’ portfolios include top ten wines in all categories. To read the Liv-ex blog in full, please click here and for more information please contact us on 0203 384 2262 or email info@vin-x.com