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Traditionally, Bordeaux has dominated the wine investment portfolios. In recent years, Burgundy, vintage Champagne, and Italian reds have been on the rise.
Looking at the recently publicized Liv-ex March 2014 data, the Fine Wine 1000 Index overall fell 2.7% compared to one year ago. The biggest falls are led by Bordeaux 500 (-5.8%) and Rhone 100 (-5.6%). The biggest rises come from Italy 100 (+4.3%), Burgundy 150 (+3.8%), and Champagne 50 (+3.1%).
Super-Tuscans such as Masseto, Ornellaia, Sassicaia, and Tignanello remain the strongest “blue-chip” performers.
In addition to these blue-chips, we find many top quality Barolos and Barbaresco producers offering amazing value. We believe international demand for their wines will outpace the market growth in the medium term. Some of our favorite producers include:
Giacosa, Bruno
Based in Neive, Giacosa produces traditionalist style Barolo and Barbaresco, wines that are big, structured, and meant for long aging. Bruno Giacosa upholds an unusally high quality standard, preferring not to produce wines if he is not satisfied with the results. Consequently, he did not produce wines in 2002, 2006, and 2010 (no Barolo, did bottled Barbaresco). His quality expectation was tough, as 2006 was regarded as a great vintage for Piedmonte.
When buying / collecting Giacosa, take note at the color of the label as well as the branding. Azienda Agricola Falletto di Bruno Giacosa is the brand for single vineyard estates. Casa Vinicola Bruno Giacosa is the brand for wines made from purchased grapes.
Of its wines, we particularly favor its “Falletto” and “Vigna Rionda”, the most powerful of the Barolos. Its Falletto Riserva is rare, expensive, and highly searched for (winesearcher.com).
As for Barbaresco, there is Asili and Rabaja. Barbaresco Santo Stefano, once its famed star, is no longer produced due to the decision to only work with estate-grown grapes.
GAJA, Angelo
Gaja needs no introduction. Many Chinese wine-lovers equate Gaja as the Lafite of Italy. Gaja was the first to modernize Barbaresco and Barolo, introducing temperature controlled fermentation, small-cask aging and new methods to revolutionize and revitalize the Piedmonte wines.
Gaja produces many wines. Our favorites include Gaja Sperss, Sori San Lorenzo, and Sori Tildin.
In 2000, Gaja decided to abandon the DOCG status on his crus so he has the freedom to include 15% of other grapes (Barbera) into the final blend. This change reflected another bold, revolutionary move. The popularity and demand for Gaja continued to rise.
Outside of Piedmonte, Gaja owns estate in Tuscany in Montalcino (Pieve Santa Restituta) and Bolgheri (Ca’ Marcanda). For fine wine investment, we focus on Gaja the single estate Barolos and Barbarescos.
SCAVINO, PAOLO
Scavino make some of the most distinctive and powerful Barolos. He makes 3 crus: Bric del Fiasc, Cannubi, and Rocche dell’ Annunziata. Enrico Scavino created “Carobric”, as the name implies, it is an assemblage of his three crus.
In addition to Barolos and Barbarescos, iconic Italian reds from Tuscany and Veneto such as Quintarelli, Soldera Casse Basse, Romano Dal Forno, have also gone up a lot in value.
More Portfolio: Bordeaux | Burgundy | Champagne | Rest of World
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