News

Conseils aux collectionneurs de vin

  • Expertise

Comment savoir combien vaut votre bouteille de vin ? Qu'est-ce qui fait qu'elle prend de la valeur ? Comment démarrer une collection ? Voici nos conseils !

Comment démarrer et étoffer sa cave à vin ?

For wine novices, it's crucial to start by buying a variety of wines from different regions and at similar prices, ideally between €10 and €20 a bottle. It's important not to limit yourself to a single region, and to include foreign wines too. Once you've established a diversified base, you can refine your search and tastes by specific region.

Wine market outlook

The wine market is constantly evolving. This year, it is underperforming compared to last year, with growth slowing after a decade of continuous increase (10% per year). Currently, around 70% of wines are sold, compared with 95% previously. This reflects continuing but more selective demand. 

Wine collectors: who are they?

Avant d’être des collectionneurs, ce sont surtout des amateurs de vin. Le vin est fait pour être dégusté et les amateurs sont de moins en moins nombreux à collectionner les bouteilles. Les grandes bouteilles de vin se destinent de plus en plus à l’exportation, avec 70 % des ventes partant vers des pays comme les États-Unis, la Chine et l’Angleterre. Parmi les vins les plus prisés des collectionneurs, on trouve la mythique Romanée-Conti de 1945, estimée à 150 000 €, et la Cheval Blanc de 1947.

How to appraise a grand cru?

To know the value of a grand cru in your cellar, it's essential to have it appraised. Beware of online estimates. Experts (auctioneers and assessors) can come to you for a complete appraisal of your cellar, and in some cases, it is possible to obtain a loan on the total value of your collection.

The value of a bottle depends on several factors: the winemaker, the vintage, the condition of the bottle and its rarity. Famous vintages can be found in the Bordeaux region: 1945, 1961, 1982 and 2000, but also in Burgundy: 1978, 1989, 2000 and 2005. The young vintages of 2005, 2009 and 2007 are also highly prized. The most famous regions are Bordeaux and Burgundy, with estates such as Château Margaux, Domaine Pétrus, Romanée-Conti and Roullier. If you have any in your cellar, it's worth getting them appraised!

Not all bottles are accepted for pawnbroking. Bottles must have a minimum value of €15, but only bottles worth €80 or more are taken individually.

Our tips for maintaining your cellar and bottles

To determine the value of a bottle, the most important thing is first to check the brand or estate, but also the condition (check the level and label) and the vintage. For optimal wine conservation, cellars should be kept between 11 and 15 degrees Celsius, without too much light.

Anecdote: the surprise of an old Chartreuse

Lors d’une estimation de cave, une découverte inattendue a été faite : en allant se laver les mains dans la cuisine du propriétaire, le commissaire-priseur est tombé sur une Chartreuse d’époque, datant de 1900. Celle-ci a finalement été vendue pour 4 000€. Une belle surprise pour quelqu’un qui ignorait la valeur de cette bouteille rare !