February has followed in January’s footsteps and proved a corking month for fine wine investment, featuring prestige cuvée Champagnes among the top performing ranks.

The Liv-ex Fine Wine 100 index, which tracks price movements for the 100 most sought-after investment-grade wines, is now up 4.1% from its lowest point in July 2014. The Bordeaux First Growth index, the Fine Wine 50, also continues to gain ground with a 0.9% rise last month.

Fine Champagne bounces back  

The Champagne labels that made the headlines were in fact those that had been among the worst performers in January. Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2004 is up 9.9%, while Dom Perignon 2002 and 2004 are up 8.1% and 6.2% respectively.

These fluid price fluctuations demonstrate just how this category of vintage wine is performing as it becomes further established as a collectible commodity within the market.

Champagne as a region has seen increasingly high levels of activity over the last few months due to a number of vintage releases entering the market, including the long-awaited Krug 2002 at the beginning of this month.

The best time to buy vintage Champagne

The trick with these big brands is to buy when prices are at their best, and hold until the opportune moment.

Capital Vintners advised existing clients to get on the Dom Perignon bandwagon last month when prices were low, and predicts generous returns on these purchases in the not-so-distant future.

Antonio Galloni gave the 2002 Dom Perignon 96 points in 2010, writing “with time in the glass the wine gains richness as the flavors turn decidedly riper and almost tropical. Apricots, passion fruit and peaches emerge from this flashy, opulent Dom Perignon.”

Best Bordeaux performers

February’s strongest player in terms of price movement was 2010 Pichon Baron, described as “sensational” by Robert Parker who awarded the wine a 97-point score.

Another top player was Mouton Rothschild 2000 – the wine rose 7.7% to a record high level and is described as “the first growth of the moment” by popular wine magazine the Drinks Business.

Fine wine & Champagne at Capital Vintners

All these and more outstanding wines can be found and purchased easily through our website, or by getting in touch with one of our sales representatives for more personalised investment support. Whether you’re an experienced collector, drinker or a novice investor, our brokers are happy to help – give us a call on 0207 378 3500.