Which investment wines got the most trade interest in Q1 2022?

Liv-ex has published which wines received the most bid activity from its merchant members in the first Quarter of 2022. We reveal these and how they compare to the most traded wines in 2021 for an indicator of wine investment trends for the year ahead.

Most bid for wines on Liv-ex in Q1 2022:

Source: Liv-ex.com 06.04.2022

Bordeaux accounts for more than half of the most actively sought wines on the secondary market, driving much of the liquidity. Prime vintage Mouton Rothschild 2005 has had the most bids placed on the exchange by Liv-ex merchant members in Q1 2002, with the region’s most powerful brand, Lafite Rothchild’s 2009 vintage also in the top five.

The insight provided by bid activity so far in 2022 illustrates the broadened and more diverse market focus in Q1 with Piedmont’s Giacomo Conterno 2010, Rhone’s Clos des Papes CNDP 2015 and Super Tuscan Masseto in the top five most bid for wines.

The secondary market in fine wine is now valued at c. US$5bn and, with all previous records broken in 2021, this year started on an unparalleled high. The number of wines traded on Liv-ex in 2021 rose 10.5% on 2020 to 11,452 and Liv-ex trade members now have access to over £100M of wine trade opportunities.

The top ten most traded investment wines on Liv-ex in 2021:

Source: Liv-ex Report – The Fine Wine Market in 2021

Bordeaux accounted for around 40% of trade share in 2021, Burgundy 21.4%, Italy 15.3%, Champagne 8.4%, US 6%, Rhone 4.5% and the remainder from other regions (source: Liv-ex Report – The Fine Wine Market in 2021). Six of the top ten most traded wines on Liv-ex were Chateau Lafite Rothschild vintages, demonstrating the demand for the powerful First Growth and its liquidity. This is an important consideration for investors.

We can take this a little further by looking at the most traded investment wine brands in 2021, providing more scope to consider including these wines in portfolio planning in 2022.

The Top Ten most traded investment wine brands on Liv-ex in 2021:

Source: Liv-ex Report – The Fine Wine Market in 2021

Seven of the top ten most traded fine wine brands on the secondary market in 2021 were great Bordeaux labels, including all the First Growths and the iconic Petrus. The First Growths offer strong liquidity due to the volumes produced along with excellent quality, which makes them cornerstone investments for a robust wine portfolio.

Burgundy’s super-star DRC brand, like Pomerol’s Petrus, is made in tiny volumes in contrast to the First Growths, but this adds to the cachet of ownership, if you can get hold of it.

Sassicaia is now the stand-out Super Tuscan on trade share due to its higher production levels, helping to support greater trade engagement. California’s Screaming Eagle, also produced in minute volumes, is enjoying greater international trade with more supply now being made available beyond its initial US domestic release list in the secondary market.

Wine investors have never had more information made available to them nor a more diverse market to consider. For more insight on investing in fine wine in 2022 see our latest Market Report and speak to a member of our expert team on 0203 384 2262.