In a world of volatile markets and digital speculation, fine wine has emerged as a tangible, inflation-resistant and prestige-driven asset. According to the Fine Wine Investment Guide published by Cult Wines, wine offers low correlation with traditional markets, making it a hedge against economic downturns.

Cult notes that if your portfolio spread had been 35% Burgundy, 30% Bordeaux, 15% Italy, 10% Champagne, 7% Rest of the World and 3% Rhône held over five years, your best annualised return would have been just shy of 16%. From January 2004 to July 2024, the Bordeaux-heavy Liv-ex 100 grew by 272%, and the Liv-ex 1000 by 288%.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, here are the top bottles to invest in at the moment, along with a snapshot of the broader wine investment landscape.

Choice Terroir

Top-tier labels have yielded consistent historical returns, with intrinsic value driven by rarity, ageing potential and global prestige. Climate volatility has impacted harvests in Burgundy and Champagne, increasing scarcity and driving up prices for desirable vintages.

While Bordeaux and Burgundy reds still dominate the market, investors are expanding their vineyard horizons. Tuscany and Napa are the emerging stars alongside Rhône Valley names like Château Rayas and Jean-Louis Chave, and forays are being made into white Burgundy from Côte de Beaune like Coche-Dury and Leflaive. Spanish and South American wines are also gaining traction for their value and ageing potential.

Top Bottles

1. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti This Burgundy estate represents the pinnacle of wine investing. Its grand cru wines like Romanée-Conti and La Tâche are produced in tiny quantities and command astronomical prices. Vintages like 2010 and 2015 have appreciated from 12% to 15% over the past 12 months, driven by demand in Asia and scarcity because of climate-affected harvests. Price range: US$20,000–$100,000+.

2. Screaming Eagle This cult Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a benchmark in American wine investing. With limited production and elite status, it’s a favourite among US and Asian collectors. Prices have risen 13% over the past year. Price range: US$3,000–$10,000+

3. Masseto Known as the ‘Petrus of Italy,’ Masseto is a single-vineyard Merlot with both luxury appeal and ageing potential. The Super Tuscan has recently recorded gains of about 10%, fuelled by strong allocations across Europe and Asia. Price range: US$800–$1,500+

4. Château Lafite Rothschild A First Growth Bordeaux with a legacy of excellence, Lafite is a cornerstone of any serious wine portfolio. The 2024 release saw a 27% price drop, creating a rare buying opportunity this year. Price range: US$600–$2,000+

5. Dom Pérignon A prestige cuvée with global recognition, Dom Pérignon Champagne offers a more accessible entry point into wine investing. Vintages like 2009 and 2012 have shown resilience, even during broader market corrections. Price range: US$200–$500+

Cellar Musts

Newcomers to wine investment are delving into a wonderful world that can reap rich rewards on the palate and the pocket. Give careful thought to your strategy: direct ownership or a managed portfolio via an online platform such as Vinovest or WineFi. These have democratised access to wine investing – fractional ownership, AI-driven portfolio management and blockchain-based provenance tracking are enabling new money, often from younger wine collectors, to pour into the market.

It is important to focus on long-term fundamentals rather than short-term gains since most investment-grade wines appreciate significantly after five to 10 years. Store your purchases professionally – use bonded warehouses with temperature control and insurance – and monitor market trends. The fun – or possibly the pain – comes with tracking the performance of your high-yielding favourites through indices like Liv-ex Fine Wine 1000.

Fine wine is more than a luxury; it’s a strategic, resilient and culturally rich asset class. Whether you’re investing in a bottle of Romanée-Conti for long-term appreciation or diversifying with Champagne and Super Tuscans, the key is to buy smart, store well and stay informed.