DRC breaks European record for wine at auction

Christie’s most recent London sale saw “remarkable” results for both Burgundian and Italian wines, including the setting of a new European record for a case of wine sold at auction.

Taking place earlier this month, the sale saw a new record set for a case of wine sold in Europe, when a 12-bottle case of 1988 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-Conti sold for £264,000.

Overall the sale made £1.9 million and was 90% sold by lot. As well as the record-breaking Burgundy, the sale included wine from 23 top Italian estates with wines consigned directly from their cellars.

Highlights included a 12-litre bottle of Ornellaia 2015 (pictured) which made £3,600; 18 bottles of Solaia (vintages 2001, 2004 & 2007) which went for £3,360 and a six bottle vertical of Cavallotto Barolo Riserva San Giuseppe (1964, 1967, 1971, 1985, 1996 & 2001) which also sold for £3,360.

Tim Triptree, director & senior specialist, Wine, said: “Christie’s is delighted with the success of the auction of wines from 23 Italian Estates, members of the Comitato Grandi Cru d’Italia.There is a widening interest in Italian wines, into regions such as the Marche, Sardinia and Sicily as well as the more traditional and classic regions of Tuscany and Piemonte. The turnout at the pre-sale tasting at the Italian Embassy showed how keen collectors are to widen their collections.”