Wine auctions

Sotheby's Hong Kong to auction US$2.1m DRC collection

A Sotheby's auction exclusively devoted to the wines of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti (DRC) is expected to raise up to HK$16m (US$2.1m) when it takes place in Hong Kong this autumn.

Irish government plans wine sell-off

Days after the Elysee Palace wine auction in Paris, the Irish government plans to sell off some of its wines.

Elysee Palace wine sale fetches nearly triple estimate

The public auction of Eylsee Palace wines saw frenzied bidding over two sessions, raising €718,000 (including auction charges) – a sizeable increase on the estimated €250,000.

Auction Napa Valley smashes record

Auction Napa Valley, the annual charity auction, has raised US$16.9m, far exceeding the previous record of US$10.5m set in 2005.

Petrus tops Hugh Johnson cellar auction

Organisers have said they are 'very pleased' with the auction of Hugh Johnson's wine cellar, which fetched hammer price sales of £88,000.

French government auctions Elysee Palace cellar

The French government is due to auction off 1,200 bottles of its 12,000-strong official wine cellar.

'Stupendous' Vega Sicilia collection goes under the hammer

A 'stupendous' selection of Vega Sicilia wines shipped direct from the legendary producer's cellars is to be auctioned by Sotheby's in Hong Kong early next month.

Jefford on Monday: Auction Fever

Why buy wine at auction? After another affluent year in the salerooms, it seems as if auction purchasers enjoy paying over the odds - and that's before they've found handfuls of extra money for the alarming buyer's premium (and local taxes). Acker Merrall & Condit claimed to have set "145 world auction records" at its Hong Kong sale on November 4th to 5th last year, while some of the prices reported in Decanter magazine's monthly 'Auction news' over the last 12 months suggest that the paddle wavers simply don't bother with - or forget all about - their homework.

UK government to auction top wines from official cellar

The UK Government will auction wines from its official cellar for the first time, selling off valuable wines that are 'approaching or are at peak drinking'.

Extra lots unveiled for El Bulli auction

Bidders at an auction of wines from famed Catalan restaurant El Bulli will now also have the chance to secure lunch with chef Ferran Adria and a selection of memorabilia.

Fine wine market in 'recovery mode'

A series of successful auctions and improved fine wine pricing shows that investors are regaining their thirst for top Bordeaux.

Premiere Napa Valley auction takes $3.04m

Premiere Napa Valley, the annual barrel auction that has become one of the biggest events in the California wine calendar, took a total of US$3.04m on Saturday, just shy of last year's record.

Healthy January auctions bolster predictions for increase in prices

The UK trade is predicting a sustained increase in fine wine prices, encouraged by ongoing interest following the Chinese New Year.

Henry Tang collection up for auction in Hong Kong

One of Asia’s most important collections of Burgundy wines will go under the hammer at a Hong Kong Christie’s auction in March.

Ornellaia, Dom Perignon, Yquem in Sotheby's sale

Ornellaia, Dom Perignon and Chateau d’Yquem, direct from their cellars, are the highlights of Sotheby’s first New York auction of 2013.

Naples wine auction down one third

Florida’s Naples Winter Wine Festival last weekend took a total of US$8.6m – a third less than last year and half the auction’s peak takings of 2007.

Last year in auctions: America awakes, Hong Kong softens

Christie's has reported its second-best-ever figure for its wine auction sales in 2012, while Sotheby's and Acker Merrall report a 'settling down' of interest from Asia.

Christie's breaks records with Tour d'Argent sale

Christie's Finest and Rarest Wines and Spirits sale last week, featuring spirits from Paris's Le Tour d'Argent restaurant, fetched nearly £4.2m (US$6.7m) and broke several records.

Hospices critics hail 'impressive' Burgundy 2012

Experts who tasted the 43 wines from the recently harvested 2012 vintage – later auctioned at the Hospices de Beaune – were surprised at the high quality of the wines, in spite of bad weather conditions that lead to one of the smallest harvests ever.

Record sales at Hospices de Beaune

The 152nd Hospices de Beaune auction yesterday resulted in its highest sale since 2000, raising nearly €6m, some half a million euros more than last year.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and Gerard Depardieu to host Hospices de Beaune

Former French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will preside over the 152nd Hospices de Beaune auction next month.