Auction Volumes Are Rising While Average Bottle Prices Soften
The latest iDealwine Barometer shows a fine wine market that is expanding in size but changing in character. In 2025, more than 300,000 bottles were sold through the platform, an 18.5% jump in volume, while total sales value climbed 9% to €42.4 million. Yet the average hammer price slipped to €137 per bottle, about 8% lower than before. Other industry analyses echo this pattern, with average prices broadly down between 8% and 9% even as the number of bottles changing hands grows. Italy has emerged as a standout: Italian fine wines now represent 51% of all non‑French labels sold at auction, with volumes up 33% and value up 37%. Their average price, around €96, has actually edged 2% higher, driven by the ongoing strength of Tuscany and Piedmont on the global wine auction scene.
Why Prices Fell After the Pandemic Boom – And Why That’s Opportunity
The current dip in wine auction prices is largely a correction after the pandemic-era surge, when lockdowns pushed many drinkers and collectors towards more expensive bottles. Since that peak, the fine wine market has endured its longest correction, with three tough years shaped by China’s slow post-pandemic recovery, weak new‑release campaigns and uncertainty around US tariffs. According to professional investor David Jackson, prices only started to rise again in late 2025 and now look set for a new uptrend, helped by improved access to high‑growth markets such as India. At the same time, buyers have become more value‑driven and less speculative, spreading demand across regions and producers instead of chasing headline‑grabbing trophies. For Malaysian collectors, this combination of lower entry prices and healthier, more diversified demand makes the present moment attractive for both restocking cellars and making measured fine wine investment decisions.
What Makes a Wine ‘Investment Grade’ in Today’s Market
In a more selective fine wine market, not every bottle is investment grade. Investors and serious collectors still look first at producer reputation: established names in Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany and Piedmont remain core holdings, with labels such as Pontet Canet, Tignanello and Sassicaia illustrating how strong brands can sustain demand. Vintage quality and critic scores remain crucial filters, as seen in high‑scoring Bordeaux like Chateau Pape Clement 2020, which launched above £60 and can now be found at around £40 per bottle in bond, and Lafite Rothschild 2006, which has fallen from over £700 to about £370. Market liquidity now matters more than ever: wines that regularly appear in global wine auctions and on specialist trading platforms are easier to sell when needed, while ultra‑obscure producers, however delicious, can prove illiquid and slower to monetise.
How Malaysian Collectors Can Buy Smart: Platforms, Storage and Strategy
For Malaysian enthusiasts, gaining exposure to the fine wine market increasingly means combining local and international channels. Local specialist retailers and importers can offer immediate access and clear provenance, while overseas platforms provide broader choice and direct participation in global wine auctions. However, buyers need to factor in shipping, duties and professional storage fees when comparing options. Many investment‑grade bottles are traded “in bond” in temperature‑controlled warehouses; for example, Jackson highlights opportunities starting as low as £40 per bottle in bond. Whether wine is stored locally or abroad, stable temperature, humidity and insurance are essential to protect value. Rather than aiming for quick flips, Malaysian collectors are generally better served by a five‑ to ten‑year horizon, focusing on proven regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy and Italy, while also allocating a small portion of capital to emerging regions and niche producers that reflect their personal tastes.
Risks, Diversification and a Simple Checklist for First-Time Buyers
Fine wine investment carries real risks: prices can be volatile, buyers may struggle to resell certain bottles, and poor storage or lack of insurance can destroy value. Over‑concentration in a single region, such as only buying Bordeaux or Burgundy, can also leave portfolios exposed to style cycles and regional downturns. The recent rise of Italian wines, which now represent over half of non‑French labels at auction and include icons like 1985 Sassicaia, underlines the importance of diversification. For Malaysians looking to take advantage of the current market dip, a simple checklist helps: define your budget and time horizon; buy only from reputable merchants or auction houses; prioritise producers and vintages with strong track records and critic scores; insist on proper storage and documentation; diversify across regions and styles; and, if you store investment bottles at home, resist the temptation to drink what you intend to hold.