GELARDINI & ROMANI CLOSES OUT 2009 AUCTION YEAR WITH A BANG. FRANCE IS THE TOP EARNER AT THE AUCTION HELD ON DECEMBER 19 IN ROME

The results were very good for the last Gelardini & Romani Wine Auction of 2009 held on December 19 in Rome. The only auction house in Italy that is specialized in fine wines collected 195,000 euros during the auction, the equivalent to a 105% increase in value from asking price, and an average of a 60% increase per lot.
These excellent results are part of a general trend for the collectible wine sector and quotes have now recuperated the levels they were at before the crisis hit in 2008.
The top bids went to France, primarily for Burgundy followed shortly behind by Bordeaux. Only two Italian Grand Cru, Masseto and Monfortino, managed to stay in the French league, though it must be noted that there were some stellar vintages being auctioned from France, while Italian wines offered some pretty mixed vintages.
The next appointment for the first Gelardini & Romani Wine Auction of the new year is set for February 2010. Info: www.grwineauction.com 

The Top Ten 0.75 lt bottles
1) Domaine Romanée Conti, Romanée Conti 2005 - € 7,427.60
2) Domaine Romanée Conti, Romanée Conti 2002 - € 4,792.00
3) Château Petrus 1990 - € 2,156.40
4) Domaine Romanée Conti, La Tache 2005 - € 2,116.47
5) Henri Jayer, Vosne-Romanée premier cru “Cros Parantoux” 1996 - € 1,916.80
6) Château Ausone 2005 - € 1,597.33
7) Henri Jayer, Vosne-Romanée 1er cru “Cros Parantoux” 1998 - € 1,437.60
8) Domaine Romanée Conti, La Tache 2003 - € 1,377.70
9) Domaine Romanée Conti, Richebourg 2005 - € 1,257.90
10) Domaine Romanée Conti, Romanée St. Vivant 2005 - € 1,138.10

The Top Five Magnum bottles (1.5 liters)
1) Giacomo Conterno, Barolo Riserva Monfortino 1988 - € 622.96
2) Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino 1999 - € 622.96
3) Château Cheval Blanc 2001 - € 622.96
4) Château d’Yquem 1999 - € 479.20
5) Château Haut Brion 2001 - € 431.28

The Top Double Magnums (3 liters)
1) Château Lafite Rothschild 2005 - € 3,354.40
1) Château Latour 2005 - € 3,354.40
2) Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Masseto 2006 - € 2,995.00
3) Louis Roederer, Champagne Cristal 1999 € 1,437.60