BORDEAUX SOARS! AFTER THE RECORD YEAR 2009, THE GREAT CHATEAUX BORDEAUX “FUTURES” SEE PRICES INCREASE 10-20% THANKS TO ASIAN MARKETS THAT OFFSET THE “WEAK” U.S. MARKET

Irresistible Bordeaux, at least for the Asian markets, where the exceptional interest in these wines literally shoots the “futures” higher in 2010, after Bordeaux wines reached all time record prices in 2009. The prices released by brands such as Château Margaux and Mouton-Rothschild confirm the 10-20% price increase tendency, while prices of Chateau Latour, Lafite Rothschild and Haut-Brion have not yet been released.

Château Margaux and Mouton-Rothschild are priced at 600 euros per bottle, compared to 550 euros in 2009, a substantial turnover for the major négociants. The famous magazine “Wine Spectator” instead shows Château Cos-d’Estournel, at 198 euros per bottle compared to 215 euros in 2009 and Château Ducru-Beaucaillou down from 180 euros in 2009 to 150 euros. The price per bottle of Château-Certan is 180 euros, compared with 156 euros in 2009; La Conseillante is 150 euros compared to 138 euros in 2009 while Château Palmer stayed at the same price as 2009, 215 euros per bottle.

The interest in buying Bordeaux wines in Asia and other markets has resulted in an increase in global demand, while the U.S. market, historical destination of fine Bordeaux wines is “sluggish” due to economic difficulties and because consumers are increasingly attentive to value/price ratio. If (and when) the Asian “passion” ends, what will happen to prices?