GILARDINI & ROMANI, THE ONLY AUCTION HOUSE SPECIALIZED IN ITALIAN WINES, ANNOUNCES ITS LAST APPOINTMENTS FOR 2008: ROME (11 OCTOBER), MERANO (8 NOVEMBER), AND IN THE CAPITAL AGAIN IN DECEMBER

2008 has been a year full of events and results for the Gelardini & Romani wine auction house, which is the only auction house that specializes in Italian wines. The appointments, where some of the most important wines that exist will be auctioned off, and that cannot be missed by wine collectors and enthusiasts are: the auction in Rome (11 October), Merano (8 November, during the Merano Wine Festival), and then again in the capital city of Rome (date to be determined).

The first auction will have 370 different lots on the block that will include over 800 bottles in various formats. 88 lots in the “Collectibles” section, 40 “Super Collectibles”, among which the likes of Domaine Romanée Conti, Romanée Conti 2005, 3 bottles, on request, Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1998 Imperiale, starting bid € 3,000.00, Montrachet Leflaive 2000, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, €1,100.00 per bottle, Dom Perignon 1955, ’69, ’85, ’90, ’93, ’95, ’96, € 75.00 per bottle. As well there are historic vintages from some of the most important wines worldwide: Lafite Rothschild ’77, ’98, ’02, ’03, Latour 1962, ’81, ’91, ’00, ’03, Mouton Rothschild ’28, ’55, ’69,’70, Chateau Margaux 1966, 2003, Petrus 1953, 1969, Cheval Blanc 1918, 2003, Haut Brion 1964, Clos de la Roche, Leroy 1990, Henry Jayer, Cros Parantoux 1990, Domaine Romanée Conti, La Tache 1952, ’87, ’88, Domaine Romanée Conti, Romanée Conti 1975, 2005, Domaine Romanée Conti, St. Vivant 1986, ’87, ’88, Masseto 1987, 1998, 2001, Sassicaia 1983, ’88, ’97, Solaia 1987, ’88, ’90, ’97, Tignanello 1971, ’75, ’97, Biondi Santi 1963, 1964, 1977, Biondi Santi Riserva ’55, ’58, ’61, ’64, ’69, Gaja, Sorì Tildìn, 1986, 1997, Sperss 1990.

The second appointment in Merano, held together with the Merano Wine Festival, will have over 250 lots being auctioned, with over 400 bottles, 67 lots of “Collectibles” and 36 lots of “Super Collectibles”, including gems like the
1er Cru di Bordeaux, Imperiale format (6 liters), Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1996, Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1998, Chateau Latour 1996, Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 1975, Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 2000. In exclusive, as a celebration of the 2006 five-star vintage and in honor of the land of Dante, a collaboration with the Tuscan wineries Tenuta Sette Ponti, Le Macchiole, Tenuta dell’Ornellaia, Tenuta San Guido and Antinori have decided to auction, en-primeur, an Imperiale format (6 liters) of Oreno, Messorio, Masseto, Sassicaia and Solaia. And, from Piedmont, a noble family will be auctioning off a preserved 1/4 bottle of brenta di Monfortino Ris. 1952.

The third and last appointment, set for December in Rome, is yet to be organized, but promises to include many exceptional lots as well.

Overall, in 2008, Gelardini & Romani Wine Auction has organized 5 high level wine auctions (versus three in 2007).
Two factors have consolidated the trust collectors and investors now have for the Roman wine auction house that was created in 2004: on the one hand there have been some important bids that have contributed to determining the price of fine and particularly speculative wines like, for example: € 9,786 paid for one bottle of Domaine Romanée Conti, Romanée Conti 2005, € 8,386 paid for one Imperiale (6 liters) of Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2003, € 6,948.40 paid for one Imperiale (6 liters) of Masseto 2001, € 5,310 paid for one double Magnum (3 liters) of Petrus 1983, € 5,032.80 paid for one Imperiale (6 liters) of Ornellaia 2005 and € 3,953.40 paid for one double Magnum (3 liters) of Redigaffi 2000; on the other hand, catalogues that are always capable of satisfying a globalized, demanding, and varied clientele.
And with auction bids starting at € 30.00, it allows everyone a possibility of acquiring even just one selected, vintage of fine wine to share with friends, to give as a gift, or to celebrate a special occasion.