Fine wine’s top 100 ranked and rated in db

December’s drinks business is out now, complete with its annual report on the 100 most powerful fine wine brands worldwide.

The Liv-ex compiled list contains a raft of new entries and highlights the trends affecting the trade, notably what the Chinese buyer likes and why.

The leading label in 2009 is Lafite-Rothschild, while Mouton-Rothschild has climbed the chart to second place. Both performances are a reflection of Asian demand and the strength of the Rothschild name.

Aside from the growing power of First Growth Bordeaux, the seven page report in the drinks business identifies other high performing brands from the region, such as Carruades de Lafite, Duhart Milon, Beychevelle and Clerc Milon.

Outside Bordeaux, notable price appreciation appears to have occurred among Spain’s top wines, Vega Sicilia and Pingus, while Australia’s Henschke is a new entry at number 45.

Burgundy too has shown rising power, with increases in prices and trade in Leflaive, as well as Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Rousseau, Raveneau and Comte Lafon.

On the other hand, as the article exposes, Champagne has suffered this year, with all top prestige cuvées slipping down the list, although vintage Krug has held its place in the top ten.

Overall the results show, as the db analysis concludes, that packaging, pronounceability, commerciality and ultimately the brand’s image in Asia appear to be dictating a fine wine’s power.

• December’s db contains the full Liv-ex Power 100 list complete with seven pages of analysis including leading commentators opinions on the biggest movers and fallers. To subscribe to db call Lewis O’Sullivan on +44 (0)20 7803 2420.

Patrick Schmitt, 10.12.2009