Three wine auctions took place last weekend, with satisfactory results achieved in both Trier and Bad Kreuznach. The first was the Ring Mosel 1899 auction in Trier on Thursday, November 6. Due to severe frost damage in the Mosel region, a good 20% fewer bottles were put up for auction compared to the previous year. Revenue fell by only about 10%. As a result, a slight price increase per bottle was actually achieved. Among the 49 lots (with lot sizes between 2 and 560 bottles), the two double magnums of Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese*** white capsule from Markus Molitor stood out in particular. They surpassed their starting bids of €1,200 each to reach a hammer price of €7,247.10 (including fees and taxes). “We are very satisfied with the results,” the association stated in its press release, pointing out that not only specialist retailers and importers but also private collectors had bid vigorously.
On the following Friday, the auction of the Grosser Ring (VDP regional association of Mosel, Saar, and Ruwer) also took place in Trier. The event, led by auctioneer Edwin Vos from Christie’s auction house, was the association’s 138th Prädikat Wine Auction and 7th Grosse Gewächse Auction. A total of 67 lots (down from 78 last year) were called, ultimately achieving a total net revenue of €1.35m (gross €1.68m). This represents a significant increase over the previous year (+38.2%), when only €974,966 net (gross: €1.21m) was achieved, and the Trier auction had fallen behind the VDP auction in Bad Kreuznach in terms of results. The outstanding lot of the day was the 6-liter bottle 2023 Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel from Egon Müller, which started at €8,000 and finally climbed to €25,621 gross.
The VDP auction in Bad Kreuznach on Saturday, in which winemakers from the regional associations of Nahe, Ahr, Rheinhessen, and Pfalz participated, also listed fewer lots due to frost damage. Consequently, it was already expected that the record result from the previous year of €1.5m net would not be repeated. Nevertheless, the results for the 32 lots from 13 wineries, auctioned by VDP Honorary President Michael Prinz zu Salm-Salm, totaled €1.0m (gross: €1.25m. The top lot in Bad Kreuznach was a double magnum of 2024 Pettenthal Riesling GG from Weingut Keller, with a starting price of €40, which was finally hammered down at €11,000 (gross: €13,744.50). Frank Schönleber, Chairman of the VDP Nahe, was very satisfied with the results and summarized: “This auction impressively shows how relevant and sought-after top German wines are internationally. In the long run, German viticulture only has a chance on the global stage if we continuously strive for the best quality.” SP
Dining and Cooking