Toward the end of 2022 Cult & Boutique’s International Sales Director Daniel Paterson published a short list of predictions for the wine investment market in 2023. It's great to be able to look back at those points and see that our feelings for the coming year have so far rang true.

Predicting the future is impossible but making educated forecasts based on market data and our wealth of experience is a huge part of why our clients trust in us. 

With few airing their predictions we take pride in sharing our opinions. Over the years we have often taken a different view to most of our competitors and been at the forefront of some of the most exciting developments that the wine investment market has seen over the past decade and a half.

So how have our most recent predictions fared as we approach the first half of 2023?

Burgundy will continue to fetch record prices

Firstly, we felt that Burgundy would continue to gain value in the secondary market.  Despite many observers predicting that Burgundy would falter it has continued to plough ahead in the secondary market and break records at auction. 

Year-to-date the Joseph Drouhin, Montrachet Grand Cru, Marquis de Laguiche 2018 has gained a staggering 25.3% with a third of the 150 wines in Liv-ex’s Burgundy Index showing positive growth.  At a recent Hong Kong auction held by Acker, various lots of Comte Liger-Belair set 14 new world records with the top lot being a barrel of 2021 Comte Liger-Belair which sold for US$ 283,871.

Champagne performed well and will continue to do so

We also stated that Champagne would continue to perform well.  A great example is the Salon Le Mesnil-sur-Oger 2007 which is up 29.2% over the last year, as well as various vintages of Dom Perignon also showing double-digit growth. 

This has proven a popular acquisition due to Champagne’s relatively low buy price and potential shorter-term holds as Champagne is only released once it is ready to consume.

Values and demand for premium Californian wines will reach new highs

The international market for Californian wine is still growing and as these wines gain popularity, their values are also rising.  We have been promoting the potential of Californian wines for many years so it’s great to see Harlan Estate, Opus One and Screaming Eagle all producing between 10% and 15.6% growth year-to-date.

Bordeaux 2022 will be underwhelming and highly-priced

The Bordeaux 2022 releases have received a very lukewarm reception from buyers.  Many have reported huge buyer hesitancy, as release prices have been hiked to above the current value of most previous, and in some cases classic, vintages which poses the question – why should you buy?

2020 Bordeaux will gain popularity in the secondary

The Bordeaux 2020 vintage has only recently been bo􀀁led so it’s still slightly premature to call this one but as with our other predictions, we’d suggest this is one to watch and expect to see good growth over the coming months.