Fine Wine Market October: Italy & Champagne Lead the Gains
Fine Wine Market October: Italy & Champagne Lead the Gains
October brought a welcome shift in the fine wine market, with several of the key indices showing renewed upward momentum. Encouraging signals have emerged from Italy and Champagne in particular, offering reassurance to both collectors and investors after a challenging period. According to industry data, market activity is picking up, here’s what stood out.
Market Overview: Prices Edge Up Again
The benchmark index tracking the world’s most traded fine wines rose 0.9% in October, following a similar gain in September. This marked the second consecutive month of growth, something we haven’t seen for some time.
Out of 100 wines tracked:
49 increased in value
9 held steady
42 declined
Notable climbers included:
Petrus 2020
Château d’Yquem 2011
Salon 2013
Meanwhile, a few high-profile names posted slight dips:
Cristal 2008
DRC Richebourg 2020
Armand Rousseau Chambertin 2019
Italy Steps into the Spotlight
Wines from Italy led the charge in October. A basket of the top-traded Italian labels rose by 1.3%, reversing a dip from earlier in the year when technical indicators suggested the market was oversold.
That indicator, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) fell below 30 during the summer, often seen as a buying opportunity. It’s now back at 35, with prices still holding above pre-COVID levels and supported by long-term trendlines.
Champagne: Sparkling Momentum
Champagne saw solid upward movement, with some notable standouts:
Salon 2013 rose 10.4% in October
(Prices jumped from £6,000 to around £7,300 per 12×75)Cristal Rosé vintages (2008–2014) also posted gains
Jacques Selosse Millésime 2008 is now up 25% since April
This follows a quieter phase for Champagne, suggesting confidence is returning to the region. particularly at the top end.
Beyond Europe: Screaming Eagle Leads the Charge
The top-performing labels from outside Europe also gained ground, especially from the US.
Screaming Eagle Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon had five vintages rise over 5%
The 2012 vintage alone surged 12% in a month
Demand at auction confirms growing global interest in premium American wines
Bordeaux: Steady, With Bullish Signs Emerging
While not leading the rebound, Bordeaux showed encouraging signs. The Fine Wine 50 index, which tracks top Bordeaux names, rose 0.7%, its second monthly gain in a row.
A technical pattern, where the 20-day moving average crosses the 50-day, has appeared for the first time in years, typically read as a bullish indicator.
What This Means for Collectors & Investors
Markets don’t move in straight lines, but this latest set of data shows meaningful recovery in regions that had softened earlier this year. For those holding or considering allocations in Champagne or Italy, this is a constructive signal. Even Bordeaux, while slower to move, appears to be stabilising.
Now might be the right time to review your portfolio or consider adding to long-term holdings while prices remain well below previous highs.
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