The classification includes over 122 French wines, 17 Italian wines and nine New Zealand wines. Image supplied
Australia’s fine wine authority Langtons has unveiled its inaugural Classification of International Wine, set to “equip fine wine enthusiasts with a relevant and data-driven guide for investment, collection and enjoyment”.
“The inaugural langtons Classification of International Wine indicates a strong and competitive secondary market, with investors shifting their focus on fine wine as not just passion-led play, but as a strategic asset,” said Michael Anderson, Langtons head of auction.
“French wines dominate the Classification of International Wine offering stability and value, but it’s Italy, in particular Piedmont and Tuscany, that’s emerged as a market arbitrage opportunity for forward-thinking investors who are looking to diversify outside of France.”
By expanding its classification globally, Langtons’ objective is to create a definitive guide of “the world’s finest wines where local Australian producers take their rightful place alongside the very best”.
“The wines and producers that make up the Langtons Classification of Australian Wine are of absolute elite status here locally, but it needs to be known more that they sit easily alongside the greats of Burgundy, Bordeaux and Tuscany. Our inaugural Classification of International Wine serves as a powerful benchmarking tool, and we encourage our customers to undertake the comparison themselves to experience the calibre of wine Australian producers are crafting.
“In our classification…we have exceptional examples of Pinot Noir such as the Bass Phillip Reserve, Mount Mary and Bindi Block 5 that are acknowledged with a First Classified status. These wines are easily comparable to the likes of Armand Rousseau, Dujac and Comte Georges de Vogue in the Classification of International Wine and truly hold their own alongside,” said Anderson.
The list features a total of 122 French wines, with Italy holding the second largest share at 17 wines and New Zealand in third place with nine. In terms of varieties, Chardonnay came out on top, a “surprising first place over Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon, but a result aligning with the wider shift towards cool-climate, lighter style wines as defined in the Classification of Australian Wine”.
A total of 19 regions feature in the list spanning across France, Italy, New Zealand, the US, Germany, Spain and Portugal. Notable wines include Leroy Musigny, Rayas, Bell Hill Pinot and Chateau D’yquem.
‘A shift in investor behaviour’
According to Langtons, there’s a clear movement within investors to see fine wine as not just a lifestyle investment, but as a tangible capital.
“Currently, we’re seeing fi erce competitiveness as multiple bidders vie for the same wines, which drives up prices and encourages more collectors to participate. We utilise a single-vendor strategy for international wine collections to shine a spotlight on well-curated cellars. This approach is resulting in immense bidding interest and clearance rates exceeding 80%, ultimately leading to higher market prices.
“Wine is now a serious alternative asset class, much like watches and art. Values have surged 10 to 20 times in just the past ten years. Take Domaine de la Romanee Conti Marey Monge, Romanee-St-Vivant which has routinely sold for around $600 20 years ago and is now fetching $5,000. It’s hard to imagine that momentum stopping,” Anderson continued.
But while the shift is evident, the storytelling and passion behind fine collection is definitely not lost, according to Anderson.
“Australian wine collectors look to international wines to travel the world through their cellars, with every bottle a time capsule offering a direct, sensory connection to a producer, time and place. A purchase of a fine international wine is securing a unique and rare piece of cultural capital.
“There is a profound connection forged when we share rare bottles. By placing a hard-to-find icon before fellow connoisseurs, we signal a shared appreciation for the history behind the label and create truly memorable experiences.”
‘France: the “defensive anchor” for fine wine investment’
The three historic French pillars of Burgundy (57 wines), Bordeaux (37 wines) and Champagne (14 wines) craft the architecture of the classification, “offering an unmatched combination of institutional trust, prestige and financial predictability”. Key French wines in the classification include: Krug Vintage Champagne, Domaine de la Romanee Conti Romanee Conti, Le Pin Pomerol, JL Chave Hermitage and Dagueneau Silex.
“This classification further cements France as the defensive anchor for investment portfolios. Burgundy supplies that scarcity and value appreciation, while Bordeaux holds liquidity and institutional trust for investors.”
‘Italy: a market arbitrage for savvy investors’
Across Italy’s 17 entries, Tuscany and Piedmont make up the majority with eight and seven wines respectively. But as a whole, Italian wines, particularly Piedmontese Nebbiolo, are “gaining traction globally but not in Australia, presenting investors an opportunity to invest ahead of the curve”.
“We are currently seeing a unique arbitrage opportunity in Australia: as global demand for Nebbiolo surges, the local market’s lag allows savvy investors to secure elite assets before that momentum catches up. Furthermore, Veneto’s Quintarelli provides a unique anchor for our Italian selection, operating in a vacuum of prestige that is untouched by standard market cycles,” explained Anderson.
‘New Zealand’
New Zealand’s nine entries hail from regions Central Otago, Martinborough, Northern Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay. Central Otago’s Felton Road led the charge with four entries including the Block 5 Pinot Noir; Block 3 Pinot Noir; Cornish Point Pinot Noir and the Block 2 Chardonnay. However, its Martinborough that Anderson noted:
“Martinborough’s presence on the international stage is secured by three benchmark producers: Ata Rangi, Kusuda, and Dry River. These wines have earned trust in the secondary market because they consistently bypass commercial trend cycles, trading entirely on pedigree and ultra-low production volumes.”
‘Other countries’
Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley in the US makes a strong appearance with examples from Dominus Estate, Chateau Montelena, Cardinale, Colgin Cariad and Opus One. German Riesling also makes its mark with three entries from iconic producers Dr Loosen, Joh. Jos. Prüm and Keller with their iconic G-Max. Spain and Portugal round out the list with two entries each including historic Vintage Ports from Taylors and Warres plus rare bottlings from Vega Sicilia Único and Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay.
“For those investors looking for diversification of their portfolios beyond France, the wines included in the Classification of International Wine from US, Germany, Spain and Portugal provide trustworthy and reliable options. Their relevance is ever-enduring, take Tenuta Dellórnellaia Masseto for example, a wine that has more than doubled in value under the hammer in less than a decade,” he said.
The Classification of International Wine has been developed through secondary market auction data collected over the last five years from every international bottle that has been traded through Langtons. Unlike its Australian counterpart, the Classification of International Wine does not feature a ‘First Classified’ and ‘Classified’ section, with the entire list referred to as ‘First Classified’.
The full classification can be viewed here.
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