
Wine Basics
Wine Investing
Apr 24, 2025
A Beginner's Guide to Wine (2024)
This is an introduction to the five main types of wine, their common characteristics, famous producers, and potential food pairings.
For the beginner wine enthusiast, this guide will give you the foundation you need to learn in more depth. It must be said however that the number one way to learn about wine is to drink it, so pour yourself a glass and have a read.
1. Red Wine

Red, Red Wine
What It Is
Red wine is made from dark-colored grape varieties. The color comes from the grape skins, which are left in contact with the juice during fermentation. This process also imparts tannins, which contribute to the wine’s structure and aging potential.
Taste and Characteristics
Red wines are known for their rich, bold flavors and deep, dark hues. They range from light and fruity to robust and tannic. Common red wine varieties include:
Cabernet Sauvignon: Full-bodied with notes of blackcurrant, cedar, and tobacco.
Merlot: Smooth and medium-bodied, with flavors of plum, black cherry, and chocolate.
Pinot Noir: Light to medium-bodied, with red fruit flavors like cherry and raspberry, and earthy undertones.
Syrah/Shiraz: Full-bodied with dark fruit flavors, pepper, and spice.
Famous Producers
Château Margaux (Bordeaux, France): Known for its elegant and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends.
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Burgundy, France): Renowned for its exceptional Pinot Noir.
Penfolds (Australia): Famous for its robust and complex Shiraz, particularly Penfolds Grange.
Aging Potential
Red wines generally age well due to their higher tannin content. Tannins act as natural preservatives, allowing the wine to develop more complex flavors over time. Some red wines, like Bordeaux blends, can be aged for decades.
Food Pairings
Red wines pair excellently with hearty dishes. Here are some classic pairings:
Cabernet Sauvignon: Grilled steak, lamb, and aged cheeses.
Pinot Noir: Roast chicken, salmon, and mushroom dishes.
Merlot: Pasta with tomato-based sauces, roast pork, and soft cheeses.
2. White Wine

What It Is
White wine is made from white grape varieties or red grapes with the skins removed before fermentation. This results in a lighter color and different flavor profile compared to red wine.
Taste and Characteristics
White wines are typically lighter and crisper than red wines, with flavors ranging from fruity and floral to creamy and nutty. Popular white wines include:
Chardonnay: Versatile, ranging from crisp and citrusy to rich and buttery, often with oak influence.
Sauvignon Blanc: Known for its high acidity and flavors of green apple, lime, and herbs.
Riesling: Can be dry or sweet, with high acidity and flavors of peach, apricot, and petrol.
Famous Producers
Domaine Leflaive (Burgundy, France): Acclaimed for its complex and age-worthy Chardonnays.
Cloudy Bay (New Zealand): Celebrated for its vibrant and aromatic Sauvignon Blanc.
Weingut Dr. Loosen (Mosel, Germany): Renowned for its elegant and expressive Rieslings.
Aging Potential
While most white wines are best enjoyed young and fresh, some, like high-quality Chardonnays, can age gracefully for several years, developing richer, more complex flavors.
Food Pairings
White wines are versatile and pair well with a variety of foods:
Chardonnay: Seafood, poultry, and creamy pasta dishes.
Sauvignon Blanc: Goat cheese, green salads, and shellfish.
Riesling: Spicy Asian cuisine, pork, and apple desserts.
3. Rosé Wine

What It Is
Rosé wine is made from red grapes but has minimal skin contact during fermentation, resulting in a pink hue. The short maceration period gives rosé its characteristic light color and fresh flavor profile.
Taste and Characteristics
Rosé wines are typically light, refreshing, and fruity, with flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and citrus. They can range from dry to sweet.
Famous Producers
Château d’Esclans (Provence, France): Known for its luxurious rosé, Whispering Angel.
Domaines Ott (Provence, France): Celebrated for its premium rosé wines with complex flavors.
Bodegas Muga (Rioja, Spain): Renowned for its well-balanced and aromatic rosé.
Aging Potential
Rosé wines are best enjoyed young and fresh, within a year or two of their release, to fully appreciate their bright, vibrant flavors.
Food Pairings
Rosé wines are perfect for warm weather and pair well with a variety of dishes:
Dry Rosé: Grilled vegetables, seafood, and light salads.
Sweet Rosé: Fruit salads, mild cheeses, and spicy dishes.
4. Sparkling Wine

What It Is
Sparkling wine is known for its effervescence, which is created by carbon dioxide bubbles formed during a secondary fermentation process. This can take place in the bottle (traditional method) or in large tanks (Charmat method).
Taste and Characteristics
Sparkling wines can range from bone dry to sweet, with flavors of green apple, pear, citrus, and brioche. Popular types include:
Champagne: From the Champagne region of France, known for its complexity and finesse.
Prosecco: From Italy, typically lighter and fruitier.
Cava: From Spain, often more robust and toasty than Prosecco.
Famous Producers
Moët & Chandon (Champagne, France): One of the most famous Champagne houses, known for its luxury and quality.
Veuve Clicquot (Champagne, France): Celebrated for its rich and full-bodied Champagnes.
R. López de Heredia (Rioja, Spain): Known for its traditional and high-quality Cava.
Aging Potential
High-quality sparkling wines like Champagne can age for several years, developing richer, more nuanced flavors. However, most sparkling wines are best enjoyed young to retain their fresh, lively bubbles.
Food Pairings
Sparkling wines are incredibly versatile and can be paired with a wide range of foods:
Champagne: Oysters, caviar, and fried foods.
Prosecco: Fresh fruit, light appetizers, and soft cheeses.
Cava: Tapas, seafood paella, and cured meats.
5. Dessert Wine

What It Is
Dessert wines are sweet wines often enjoyed at the end of a meal. They are made using various methods, including late harvest, botrytis (noble rot), and fortification, to concentrate sugars and flavors.
Taste and Characteristics
Dessert wines can range from light and honeyed to rich and syrupy. Famous dessert wines include:
Port: A fortified wine from Portugal, known for its rich, sweet flavors and high alcohol content.
Sauternes: A botrytized wine from Bordeaux, France, noted for its luscious sweetness and complexity.
Moscato: A light, sweet wine with floral and fruity notes, often with a slight sparkle.
Famous Producers
Taylor’s (Douro, Portugal): Renowned for its high-quality Ports.
Château d’Yquem (Bordeaux, France): Legendary for its exceptional Sauternes.
Astoria (Italy): Known for its delightful and aromatic Moscato d’Asti.
Aging Potential
Many dessert wines have excellent aging potential due to their high sugar content, which acts as a natural preservative. For example, a fine Port can age for decades, developing deep, complex flavors.
Food Pairings
Dessert wines are best enjoyed with complementary sweet or savory dishes:
Port: Blue cheese, dark chocolate, and nuts.
Sauternes: Foie gras, fruit tarts, and creamy cheeses.
Moscato: Fresh berries, light cakes, and sorbets.
Conclusion
Exploring the world of wine can be a delightful journey, full of discovery and enjoyment. By understanding the five main types of wine and their unique characteristics, you can make more informed choices for your collection and enhance your dining experiences with perfect pairings. Cheers to your wine adventure!
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Wine Basics
Wine Investing
Apr 24, 2025
WineFi Q1 2025 Quarterly Report
We’re pleased to share our Q1 2025 Quarterly Report, offering a concise, data-driven overview of fine wine’s performance in the first quarter of the year. As macroeconomic pressures persist and traditional markets continue to fluctuate, fine wine’s role as an alternative asset class remains in sharp focus.
In this edition, we explore:
🏦 Macroeconomic Analysis and the Effect on Wine Markets
📈 How Wine Compares to Other Assets
⚖️ Wine Market Stabilisation?
🌍 Regional Performance Breakdown

Wine Investing
Apr 6, 2025
Navigating New Tariffs: Fine Wine’s Resilience Amid Trade Tensions
On Thursday, the Trump administration announced a fresh wave of long-anticipated protectionist trade policies. Drawing inspiration from President William McKinley’s era, the administration has introduced a baseline 10% duty, alongside additional bilateral tariffs, pushing the overall U.S. tariff rate to levels not seen since the “Gilded Age” (1870–1913).
Financial markets reacted sharply. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones all posted their worst single-day performances since the COVID-induced selloff of 2020.
Under the new framework, European goods—including wine—will face a 20% import tax. Naturally, this raises the question: what impact will these tariffs have on the fine wine market?
This is not the first time the Trump administration has targeted European wines. In October 2019, a 25% tariff was imposed on wines from the EU and UK (excluding Italy), following a WTO ruling in favour of the U.S. in its long-standing dispute over Airbus subsidies.

As shown in the highlighted section of the WineFi 10-Year Index, the implementation of the 2019 tariffs had a muted impact on the index’s value. This was followed by a noticeable uplift, driven by dovish monetary policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What We Expect Going Forward
One of fine wine’s defining attributes is its longevity. Many wines only reach their optimal drinking window 5+ years after bottling. This allows U.S. buyers to sidestep immediate tariff exposure by purchasing wines in Europe, storing them in bond (free of duty and VAT), and taking delivery once tariffs are reduced or lifted. This flexibility should mitigate downward price pressure in the near term.
Fine wine also benefits from supply inelasticity and geographic uniqueness. Iconic wines from regions like Champagne and Burgundy cannot be replicated domestically. While tariffs are typically aimed at boosting local demand, inelastic supply and limited substitutes mean demand for European fine wine is unlikely to collapse. For example, Napa Chardonnay remains distinct in profile from White Burgundy, limiting true substitution.
Some consumers may shift from grand crus to premier crus or opt for second wines over first growths. However, the impact of this down-tiering can be softened through a diversified portfolio approach.

Finally, during periods of macroeconomic uncertainty, fine wine offers meaningful diversification benefits due to its low correlation with traditional asset classes. As volatility returns to equity and bond markets, we expect growing investor interest in uncorrelated alternatives. Fine wine’s unique market dynamics make it a valuable addition to a well-diversified portfolio.
President Trump has since stated he remains open to negotiations following the negative market response. WineFi will continue to monitor and report on the evolving impact of U.S. tariffs on the fine wine sector.

Wine Investing
Mar 16, 2025
Trump's 200% Tariff: Implications for Fine Wine Markets
Donald Trump’s recent announcement of potential 200% tariffs on wines, Champagnes and spirits from France and the EU has sent ripples through the global wine industry. While the proposal is politically charged and far from guaranteed, it has already sparked volatility in European beverage stocks and prompted concern among négociants, importers and wine investors alike.
The U.S. is a major buyer of EU wine – but from a fine wine investment standpoint, the most important question isn’t what happens to American consumers, but how global wine pricing and allocations might shift as a result of displaced supply and changing market dynamics.
For investors – particularly those buying and storing wines through the UK market – the impact is less about the direct effect of tariffs and more about how Europe and the global trade react. Crucially, this is a story of two vintages: newly released wines are set to face the greatest pressure, while back vintages (mature, in-market wines) may emerge relatively unscathed or even strengthened by the disruption.
With En Primeur season approaching and Bordeaux still seeking market equilibrium, this disruption could either reignite interest or prolong stagnation – depending on how producers and merchants adapt.
This piece explores the divergence in impact between young and mature vintages, potential consequences for UK pricing and allocation, and historical parallels that might shed light on what lies ahead.
New Vintages in the Crosshairs

If implemented, a 200% tariff on EU wine would effectively block recent vintages from accessing the U.S. market – not merely making them less competitive, but outright unviable at current price levels. While the U.S. would absorb the most direct blow, the ripple effect across the global trade is where the pressure truly mounts.
Without U.S. demand, European producers will be forced to redirect stock elsewhere, with the UK likely absorbing a larger share. For wines released this year and next – including the upcoming 2024 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign – producers may need to either further lower prices to stimulate demand from UK and Asian markets, or limit volumes and hold back stock in anticipation of a future rebound.
Either option changes the investment landscape significantly. A genuine effort from châteaux to cut release prices (as seen with the 2019 vintage during COVID and previous tariff threats) could finally provide the reset Bordeaux needs to re-engage investors. On the other hand, if pricing remains firm and quantities tighten, supply-side scarcity could keep upward pressure on values of mature stock.
Wines currently being released – from the 2020, 2021 and 2022 vintages – may also see short-term price softness in the UK market as a result of increased availability. If wines intended for U.S. allocation are rerouted, UK merchants will have more to sell – but not necessarily more demand. That imbalance could benefit opportunistic buyers looking to acquire young wines at more attractive prices.
Back Vintages: Largely Shielded

In stark contrast, mature back vintages – particularly those already in bond or with strong global distribution – face little downside risk from the proposed tariffs. These wines are already in circulation, with pricing well-established, and critically, they are not affected by new import duties.
In fact, in a scenario where new vintages become logistically and financially constrained, back vintages may experience a relative boost in demand – especially concentrated in the US. Collectors, merchants and drinkers unable or unwilling to pay tariff-laden prices for new wines will likely shift focus to existing stock. This is especially true at the high end, where drinking wines like Petrus or Latour are rarely priced on marginal cost – the buyer is more concerned with provenance, condition and access than with an incremental price rise.
Moreover, WineFi investors and others operating outside traditional allocation systems are at an advantage here. With flexibility to select vintages with the best appreciation potential, and no need to absorb specific releases, portfolios can remain focused on relative value, maturity curves, and scarcity – rather than pipeline availability.
Should the UK market experience any pricing softness from rerouted stock, the value proposition of back vintages only grows stronger. They become the stable, appreciating reference point against which discounted young wines are measured – a dynamic we’ve seen before during market dislocations.
Global Pricing Pressure – More UK Supply, Softer New Vintage Prices
Although the U.S. won’t be importing much EU wine under a 200% tariff, those wines still need to be sold somewhere. That ‘somewhere’ is likely to be the UK – the most active secondary market globally, and still a preferred destination for producers seeking visibility, bonded storage, and global redistribution.
More supply in the UK – particularly of newly released vintages – is likely to put downwards pressure on prices in the near term. This won’t affect all wines equally. As discussed, back vintages are (relatively) insulated, and high-demand labels will still find homes quickly. But lesser wines, or vintages already viewed with caution (such as 2021), may struggle.
This could create attractive entry points for investors willing to take a medium – to long-term view. Much like the 2019 En Primeur campaign, which saw deep discounts and strong returns once normal market activity resumed, a tariff-driven dip in pricing could set the stage for outperformance once equilibrium returns.
Outlook for En Primeur: Tariffs as Catalyst for Reset?
With the 2024 Bordeaux En Primeur campaign looming, all eyes are on pricing strategy. The market already expects moderation after a patchy 2023 campaign, and the threat of U.S. withdrawal from the demand equation could tip the balance toward widespread cuts and more competitive releases.
There are two plausible paths:
Châteaux lower prices meaningfully, recognising the need to re-engage global buyers and stimulate uptake. This could finally provide the jolt Bordeaux needs to regain momentum, and would benefit investors acquiring at cycle lows.
Châteaux restrict release volumes, maintaining high prices but allocating less wine for sale. This delays revenue but may prove prudent if producers expect the U.S. to return in future years. A tighter market with less availability could be bullish for existing stockholders.
Either way, WineFi and its investors are well-positioned: not locked into allocations, and focused on wines with long-term value potential. Should pricing soften, the opportunity to enter Bordeaux at multi-year lows could be compelling.
Conclusion: A Tale of Two Vintages
Trump’s proposed tariffs could create a sharp divergence in the fine wine market. Newer vintages, particularly those awaiting release or still in the primary market, face headwinds: more supply in Europe and the UK, fewer buyers, and pressure on pricing. For investors, this could present selective buying opportunities, particularly if pricing is rationalised across regions.
Back vintages, by contrast, are well insulated. Already in circulation, unaffected by duties, and often with established provenance and scarcity, they may become relatively more desirable as the market navigates disruption. As seen in prior episodes – whether trade tariffs or COVID-induced slowdowns – those who hold through volatility often emerge with the strongest gains.
In the end, while such tariffs may create near-term dislocation, they also reinforce the importance of selectivity, flexibility, and long-term focus in wine investing. WineFi’s model – unconstrained by allocations and built around conviction-led acquisition – is well suited to navigate this environment.
The market may shift. Value will remain – if you know where to look.