En Primeur can be considered fundamentally as a wine future; the basic method of purchasing wines while the vintage is still held in the barrel. This amounts to investing in any particular wine before it is bottled.
Traditionally En Primeur has been in place for centuries benefiting both the vineyards and collector/investors. This is because En Primeur guarantees a liquid cash flow and a high level of sales. The consumer on the other hand (assuming they have access) can secure wines with very limited quantities which can be difficult to get once they are bottled and released.
Therefore, if dealt with correctly, En Primeur has a very high growth potential investment. The key here is to buy through the correct channels directly or indirectly from an established wine merchant. The process gives the owner the right to receive the bottled wine once the producer has completed the maturing phase. En Primuer, especially in the noble vintages, can turn extraordinary profits. For example, the 1982 Château Latour, was sold at £250 a case (en Primeur) in 1983. In 2008, the same wine was valued at £14,500 although the major part of this price increase occurred after bottling. Such examples are not rare.
Other advantages can be seen in the guaranteed provenance of the wine, owning a wine from the start of its life provides the highest provenance possible.
Other interesting possibilities are to buy a vintage to commemorate a date; anniversaries, engagements, or the birth of a child.
Moreover, it can also provide greater flexibility in the bottling of the wine. In many cases it is possible to choose varying bottles from magnums to Sauternes.
IMPORTANT: We are proud to guarantee all our En Primeur meaning that no matter what happens in the interim period (it has been known, albeit rarely, for a negociant to go bust) we will source the wine and purchase (force majeure) it for our clients at the higher secondary market price. This allows you to purchase in the confidence, knowing that your wine will be of the highest demand and under the secure control of the oldest vineyards |
