Wine Basics
Wine Investing
Apr 24, 2025
Champagne Appellations
Introduction
Champagne, the sparkling jewel of northeastern France, is synonymous with celebration, luxury, and refinement.
With its storied history, centuries-old traditions, and unparalleled terroir, Champagne has captivated the palates of wine connoisseurs around the globe. From the prestigious houses of Reims and Épernay to the quaint vineyards of the Marne Valley, Champagne is a region steeped in elegance and prestige. Join us as we embark on a journey through the rolling hills and chalky soils of Champagne, exploring the craftsmanship, the artistry, and the sheer joie de vivre that define this iconic wine region.
Montagne de Reims:
Located to the north of Reims, the Montagne de Reims is renowned for its Pinot Noir-dominated vineyards, which thrive on the region’s chalky soils.
This area is home to some of Champagne’s most prestigious Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages, including Verzy, Verzenay, and Ambonnay.
Producers in Montagne de Reims, such as Krug, Bollinger, and Louis Roederer, craft powerful and structured Champagnes with excellent aging potential.
Vallée de la Marne:
Stretching along the Marne River west of Épernay, the Vallée de la Marne is known for its diverse terroir, where both Pinot Noir and Meunier grapes thrive.
This region is famed for its lush landscapes and charming villages, including Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Ay, and Hautvillers, the birthplace of Dom Pérignon.
Producers like Billecart-Salmon, Bollinger, and Philipponnat showcase the Vallée de la Marne’s ability to produce expressive and fruit-forward Champagnes.
Côte des Blancs:
South of Épernay, the Côte des Blancs is celebrated for its Chardonnay vineyards, which flourish on the region’s chalky slopes.
This area is renowned for producing some of Champagne’s most elegant and refined Blanc de Blancs Champagnes, prized for their purity and finesse.
Villages like Avize, Cramant, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger are esteemed for their Grand Cru vineyards, producing wines of exceptional quality and minerality.
Producers such as Salon, Krug, and Pierre Peters are revered for their mastery of Chardonnay and their ability to craft exquisite Blanc de Blancs Champagnes.
Côte des Bar:
Located in the southernmost part of Champagne, the Côte des Bar is known for its warmer climate and clay-limestone soils, ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
This area has experienced a surge in quality and recognition in recent years, with a growing number of producers crafting high-quality, terroir-driven Champagnes.
Villages like Les Riceys, Bar-sur-Seine, and Essoyes are emerging as new frontiers for Champagne production, offering wines with distinct character and personality.
Producers such as Drappier, Vouette et Sorbée, and Chartogne-Taillet are leading the charge in the Côte des Bar, producing wines that showcase the region’s potential for excellence.
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Wine Basics
Wine Investing
Aug 10, 2025
When is the Best Time to Invest in Fine Wine?
The fine wine market has always been a blend of passion and performance. For some, the allure lies in the artistry of the vineyard; for others, it’s the steady, tangible returns that make fine wine a compelling alternative asset.
But here’s the perennial question for investors: when is the right time to invest?
In our latest analysis at WineFi, we examined one of the most sought-after segments of the market—red Burgundy—to see how timing influences returns. We compared all red Burgundy wines in our investment universe to the Liv-ex Burgundy 150 index, the sector’s benchmark, and looked for patterns that could guide smarter entry and exit strategies.
The Findings at a Glance
Our data paints a clear picture of how red Burgundy performs at different stages of its lifecycle:
🚫 Don’t buy on release – On average, red Burgundy underperforms its benchmark in the first few years after release. That means paying top prices straight out of the gate often isn’t the best move for returns-focused investors.
🎯 Sweet spot: Year 6 – Performance begins to accelerate around the sixth year—coinciding with the median start of the wine’s drinking window. From here, returns tend to outpace the benchmark.
📈 Outperformance window: Years 6–25 – During this period, red Burgundy has historically delivered impressive relative gains. By year 25, the mean return in our dataset was 1.8x higher than the benchmark.
⚠️ After year 25: A trickier game – Performance tends to plateau, and volatility increases. As bottles become rarer and more valuable, prices can swing sharply in either direction. This aligns with the median end of red Burgundy’s drinking window, when investment and consumption dynamics shift.
Why This Matters for Investors
Fine wine, unlike many asset classes, is both finite and consumable. Every bottle opened reduces supply, creating scarcity—but also introducing unpredictability as remaining stock becomes fragmented across cellars worldwide.
By aligning purchases with a wine’s drinking window, investors can:
Maximise potential upside by entering when market demand is strengthening.
Reduce downside risk by avoiding the softer performance often seen in the early years.
Plan exits strategically before volatility overtakes predictable growth.
The Limits (and Power) of the Data
While this study looks at the mean performance of all red Burgundy wines in our universe, individual results will vary significantly by producer, vintage, and even format (bottle size). Legendary producers like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti may defy these trends altogether, while lesser-known estates might follow them more closely.
Still, using drinking windows as a timing tool offers a practical framework for making better-informed decisions—especially for investors building diversified portfolios across regions and styles.
Final Pour
The data tells us that patience pays in fine wine investment—particularly in Burgundy. If you can resist the urge to buy on release and instead enter around year six, history suggests you’ll be swimming with the current rather than against it.
In fine wine, as in life, timing is everything. And for Burgundy lovers, that sixth-year mark might just be the moment when the stars—and the corks—align.
Wine Basics
Wine Investing
Jul 14, 2025
WineFi Q2 2025 Quarterly Report
In Q2 2025, we have seen a stabilisation in wine market prices. In this quarterly report we dive into this finding to understand how list prices compare to trade prices, along with macro-analysis and regional comparisons.
In this edition, we explore:
🏦 Macroeconomic Analysis and the Effect on Wine Markets
📈 How Wine Compares to Other Assets
⚖️ Wine Market Stabilisation?
🔀 List Prices vs Trade Prices
🌍 Regional Performance Breakdown
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
