Sterling Wine Auctions Australia

Wine Investment is a subject that gives me the jim jams.

If you look at the Wine Industry Directory I am listed as a wine investment specialist. For years I have been trying to give good advice to people who want to treat wine buying like a trip to the racetrack or the casino. The whole idea of push the investment in the bottle, the appreciation of quality of bottle aged wine just doesn’t cut it with most punters who want to make a quick buck!

At last I have worked it out. There is money to be made in wine investment. And the secret is….. Advance buy birthday vintage wines!

This year a Kings ransom will not buy any 1936 vintages. Last auction we sold a 1946 Hardy’s brandy for over $300. A few years ago the same bottle of brandy would have sold for $50 -$100!

There are plenty of examples, look at the 1956 Penfolds Club 5 Star Port. Heaps of these cheap ports have been in the market over the past few years. Two years ago $30 would have done the job, this year a 1956 “50th" birthday present will cost up to and over $100.

The pattern is simple, this year the premium is with 1936 1946 1956 1966 1976 1986.

Funny enough the big birthdays for next year 1937 1947 1957 1967 1977 1987 will push the value of these back vintages to the limit.

The 1947 Seppelts Para port is the wine to chase NOW. There is plenty around auction after auction. Trust me, next year the price will double maybe even triple.

Jump a few years ahead and invest in the 8 or 9 sets. Even buy up the 0’s. The best place to strike is at big names that are not too expensive and try to avoid wines that are too obscure.

Unless it is very rare, also avoid buying wines that are ullaged or present badly. Like stamps and other collectables the buyers are always happy to pay a premium for perfect condition stock.

September 2006