Australian fine wine prices defy global trends

Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine Index, a key secondary wine market indicator, has recorded a 64% increase in Australian fine wine values over the last 2 years while the international fine wine investment market has fallen around 20%. 

 

“Growth of 64% is an incredible statistic,” said Langton’s Fine Wine principal Andrew Caillard MW. To outsiders it’s almost as unbelievable as China’s recent second quarter growth figures.” 

“Langton’s Classified Australian Wine Index shows underlying confidence in ultra-fine Australian wine and its intrinsic rarity,” he continued. “Wine buyers and collectors have gravitated towards classic, mostly red, Australian wines and vintages.” 

“Our detractors love to talk about Australia’s industrial wines. However when it comes to Australian fine wine, it is ultimately a very finite and ever-depleting stock, based on extraordinary individual vineyard sites. From an international perspective there’s actually not much of it available compared to top Bordeaux and Burgundy. Judging by overall volume of demand and prices, Australian wine collectors are clearly wishing there was more of the good stuff around.” 

Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine Index (LCAWI) tracks the performance over time of a basket of 28 leading Australian wines such as Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz and Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon from five vintages: 1990, 1996, 1998, 2002 and 2004.

 

Patrick Schmitt, 30.07.09