Investment Wines: Top 10 Bottles, Best-Performing Wine Brands

Investment wines are an alternative asset (unlike traditional holdings like stocks) — something savvy investors can use to diversify their investment portfolio. 

That said, the fine wine investment market encompasses less than 0.1% of the global wine market, with Burgundy and Bordeaux wines dominating the arena. 

So, how can you tell which wines to invest in?  

We’ll begin by looking at the most popular investment wine regions and some of the world’s best-performing wine brands. We’ll then tell you which wine bottles will also work as an alternative asset, why fine wine investing is a good idea, and how to do it easily via Vinovest.

The Most Popular Investment Wines In The World (By Region)

Previous years saw the Burgundy and Bordeaux wine regions dominating fine wine investing.

However, the fine wine market has expanded to other regions in recent years as investors seek to diversify their wine collection. This helps optimize growth as trends change. 

The Liv-ex Power 100 lists the 100 leading fine wine labels in the secondary market. While Bordeaux and Burgundy constituted 75% of the Power 100 in 2016 (in terms of the number of wines), it has now gone down to less than 65%. Meanwhile, the number of Italian wine, Champagnes, Rhone Valley, and US wines have been increasing steadily. 

Let’s take a closer look at the regions best-known for investment grade wine.

A. Bordeaux Investment Wines

Bordeaux wine investments have traditionally focused on First-growth Bordeaux red blends. These wines have long-established reputations for reliable quality and aging potential, so there is always demand for them in the secondary market. 

Left Bank labels such as Haut Brion, Latour, or Lafite Rothschild are renowned for their Cabernet Sauvignon based blends. And fantastic Merlot blends are made by Right Bank producers like Petrus, Le Pin, or Lafleur. 

B. Burgundy Investment Wines

Scarcity is a driving factor in Burgundy wine investing. The finest Burgundy Grand Cru wines are made in minuscule quantities, often snapped up by collectors upon release. 

Some of the best Burgundy investment wines come from (but not limited to) the Grand Cru vineyards of producers like Romanee-Conti, Leroy, Leflaive, Coche-Dury, and Armand Rousseau.

When re-emerging on the secondary market, Burgundy wine prices can soar to astronomical heights. 

Rare Burgundy can command thousands of dollars at an auction house sale — like a methuselah of Romanée-Conti 2000 that fetched $404,000 at a Sotheby’s wine auction in 2021.  

C. Rhone Valley Investment Wines

Rhone Valley has few wines capable of demanding the high prices of top-tier Burgundy or Bordeaux wine. But there are still several that can help balance out a wine portfolio. 

Examples would be vintages from Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Paul Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle, Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Vin de Paille, or Guigal Ermitage Ex Voto.

D. Champagne Investment Wines

Champagne’s presence in the fine wine investment market is led by Dom Pérignon, Louis Roederer, and Krug. 

Offering solid pricing, availability, and wide distribution, Champagne has managed to provide accessibility and steady returns for fine wine investors. 

E. Italian Investment Wines

Italy’s investment wines come mainly from the Tuscan and Piedmont regions. 

While most trade is generated by the critically acclaimed Super Tuscan stars, Sassicaia, Ornellaia, and Solaia, the demand for Italian wine has seen more Italian brands enter the secondary market.

Tuscan traditionals such as Brunellos from Gianfranco Soldera or Casanova di Neri could make a lucrative inclusion to a wine investment portfolio, as would Vino Nobile classics like Poliziano Le Caggiole or Avignonesi Riserva Grandi Annate.

Piemontese representatives in the fine wine market center around its Nebbiolo-based wines. These are primarily Barolos (and some Barbaresco) from producers like Giacomo Conterno, Giuseppe Mascarello, Bruno Giacosa, Aldo Conterno, or Roagna.

F. American Investment Wines

When it comes to New World wine investing, California wine is at the forefront. The US’s top investment wines are all Californian, mostly collectibles made in tiny amounts. 

Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Napa Valley dominate this list in the fine wine market, from producers like Screaming Eagle, Schrader Cellars, Kapcsandy Family, Roberto Mondavi, and Caymus.

Beyond Napa Valley, investment wines come from Sonoma County’s Vérité Winery and Ridge Vineyards of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The cult wines of Central Coast’s Sine Qua Non also have a strong following. 

G. Australian Investment Wines

Australia offers several New World alternatives for wine investment. 

Australian wine producers noted for their investment grade wine include Penfolds, Henschke, Jim Barry, Torbreck, and Mount Mary. Penfolds, in particular, has produced several wines that have had a steady appreciation in value over the past years.

Now let’s look at the finest wine brands you should add to your wine collection.

Top Wine Brands To Invest In (Including Price Performance)

An estimated 65,000 wine producers exist globally, but only a tiny fraction produce quality wines that can be considered an asset for alternative investment. 

Here are the brands to look for in the fine wine market.

Top 15 Wine Brands: 

According to the Liv-ex Power 100 Report, these are the top 15 wine brands in 2021:      

Now, the biggest risers from 2020 were from Burgundy, Piedmont, and California. The brands with the largest jumps in position were Burgundy’s Emmanuel Rouget (+205), Piedmont’s La Spinetta (+194) and G.B. Burlotto (+161), and California’s Sine Qua Non (+145.) 

So, which fine bottle of wine should you add to your wine collection?

10 Exquisite Investment Wine Bottles To Add To Your Collection

The vintage, producer, and region often decide the investment-worthiness of the wine asset class. Besides, you should also look at drinking windows and wine critic scores while building a wine portfolio. 

Here’s a list of outstanding wines to add to your wine cellar. We’ve included the varietal, price appreciation within a 1-2 year period, drinking window, and wine expert or critics’ score for your reference: 

• 2015 Domaine Leroy Richebourg Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France 
• 2014 Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France
• 2015 Emmanuel Rouget Cros Parantoux, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, France 
• 1996 Dom Perignon P2 Plenitude Brut Rose, Champagne, France
• 2010 Sine Qua Non Stockholm Syndrome Eleven Confession Vineyard Grenache 
• 2018 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, France
• 2016 G. B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG, Italy
• 2018 Château Margaux, Margaux, France
• 2016 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
• 2009 La Spinetta Vursu Vigneto Valeirano Riserva, Barbaresco DOCG, Italy

1. 2015 Domaine Leroy Richebourg Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France ($25,900)

• Varietals: Pinot Noir
• Price trend: $8271 in May 2020, $22,834 in Jan 2022 (+176%)
• Drinking window: 2025-2065
• 98/100 Robert Parker The Wine Advocate (March 2018)

2. 2014 Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France ($8,580)

• Varietals: Chardonnay
• Price trend: $5441 in Apr 2020, $7559 in Feb 2022(+39%)
• Drinking window: 2017-2050
• 99/100 Robert Parker The Wine Advocate (December 2016)

3. 2015 Emmanuel Rouget Cros Parantoux, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, France ($3,770)

• Varietals: Pinot Noir
• Price trend: $2331 in Feb 2021, $3778 in Jan 2022 (+62%)
• Drinking window: 2025-2050
• 96/100 Robert Parker The Wine Advocate (April 2018)

4. 1996 Dom Perignon P2 Plenitude Brut Rose, Champagne, France ($1,520)

• Varietals: Champagne Blend
• Price trend: $908 in Apr 2020, $1595 in Feb 2022 (+76%)
• Drinking window: 2016-2040
• 96/100 Robert Parker The Wine Advocate (April 2020)

5. 2010 Sine Qua Non Stockholm Syndrome Eleven Confession Vineyard Grenache ($1,500)

• Varietals: Grenache (Garnacha)
• Price trend: $859 in May 2020, $1474 in Feb 2022 (+72%)
• Drinking window: 2014-2034
• 100/100 Robert Parker The Wine Advocate (August 2014)

6. 2018 Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac, France ($1,170)

• Varietals: Bordeaux Red Blend
• Price trend: $710 in May 2020, $1193 in Feb 2022 (+68%)
• Drinking window: 2025-2068
• 100/100 Wine Enthusiast (May 2021)

7. 2016 G. B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG, Italy ($840)

• Varietals: Nebbiolo
• Price trends: $201 in Jun 2020, $952 in Feb 2022 (+373%)
• Drinking window: 2024-2056
• 97/100 Wine Spectator (April 2021)

8. 2018 Château Margaux, Margaux, France ($840)

• Varietals: Bordeaux Red Blend
• Price trend: $590 in May 2020, $858 in Feb 2022 (+45%)
• Drinking window: 2026-2067
• 100/100 Robert Parker The Wine Advocate (April 2021)

9. 2016 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy ($450)

• Varietals: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Price trend: $299 in Apr 2020, $466 in Feb 2022 (+56%)
• Drinking window: 2019-2050
• 98/100 Wine Enthusiast (May 2019)

10. 2009 La Spinetta Vursu Vigneto Valeirano Riserva, Barbaresco DOCG, Italy ($350)

• Varietals: Nebbiolo
• Price trend: $190 in Dec 2020, $379 in Nov 2021 (+99%)
• Drinking window: 2021-2055
• 97/100 Robert Parker The Wine Advocate (July 2020)

Let’s explore why fine wine investing might be for you.

Why Is Fine Wine An Attractive Alternative Investment?

The value of investment-grade wine often appreciates as it approaches peak maturity. 

Wine has seen a historical annual return of 10.6% over the last 15 years, and global demand for wine has increased rapidly. 

Investment wines have performed well compared to almost every major asset class. For example, the Liv-ex 100 index increased 23% in 2021, outperforming many stock indices like Nasdaq (21.4%) and the Dow Jones Industrial (18.7%).

Acquiring fine wine for an investment portfolio, however, can seem a daunting task — which is where Vinovest can help you. 

Vinovest (founded by Anthony Zhang and Brent Akamine) is an online platform that simplifies wine investing. 

Combining AI-driven algorithms, master sommelier knowledge, and access to a global network of top wineries and reliable fine wine vintners, Vinovest can help you build an enviable fine wine portfolio easily.

(Now, if you don’t want to collect wine bottles, you could even try investing in wine stocks and funds.)

Choose The Best Wines For Your Investment Portfolio

Fine wine is an excellent alternative investment to help diversify your portfolio. 

However, with only a tiny fraction of fine wine considered investment-grade, picking the right bottle with growth potential is critical.

So why not sign up with Vinovest? 

You can easily buy, store, and sell the right wines (even En Primeur.) You can even have your bottle delivered to your doorstep if you prefer to pop the cork instead.