Fine Wine Market Sees 135% Surge in UK and Asia Bids as Prices Hit Five-Year Low

Fine wine prices have reached their lowest point in five years, creating what analysts describe as a rare buying opportunity for collectors and investors. According to the December market report from Liv-ex, a global marketplace for fine wine, the market is showing early signs of stabilization after a prolonged downturn. The Liv-ex 1000 index, which tracks a broad range of fine wines, rose by 0.4% in December. This marks the third consecutive month of gains for the index.

The Liv-ex 50 index, which monitors daily price movements of Bordeaux First Growths, also recorded gains. For the first time since May 2023, bids on these wines exceeded offers, indicating renewed interest from buyers. The report notes that demand is returning to the most liquid segments of the market, with buyers now accounting for 38% of activity—an annual high for 2025.

Tom Burchfield, head of market intelligence at Liv-ex, said that the recent uptick in indices and increased bidding activity suggest that the fine wine market is stabilizing as the year ends. He acknowledged that optimism is returning after three years of steady price declines but cautioned that it remains fragile.

Despite these positive signals, the effects of the recent downturn are still visible across much of the market. Burgundy, Champagne and Bordeaux have experienced some of the steepest corrections. However, this has resulted in opportunities to acquire sought-after wines at prices not seen since 2020. The secondary market is seeing increased demand at these lower levels.

The Liv-ex 50, 1000 and Bordeaux 500 indices all posted their strongest gains in more than three years. Bids reached £31 million in value, their highest level since April 2023. Much of this renewed demand is coming from buyers in the UK and Asia. According to Liv-ex data, bids from these regions are up 135% compared to last year’s average. In November, European buyers made up nearly 40% of the market. In contrast, U.S. buyers remained less active, accounting for just under 17% of purchases.

Some segments have shown particular resilience during this period. Sauternes and Barsac wines have outperformed other categories since the market peak in September 2022. Château Climens and Château Coutet led performance among Sauternes producers with growth rates above 4%. Other notable performers include Château Rieussec, Château Suduiraut and Château d’Yquem. Analysts attribute this stability to Sauternes’ modest gains during the previous bull run and a correspondingly mild correction.

Italian wines have also fared well compared to their French counterparts. Iconic labels such as Solaia and Gaja outperformed many Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne wines over the past three years. Among Burgundy producers, Joseph Drouhin was unique in avoiding a price decline, posting a slight increase even as the broader Burgundy 150 index fell by more than 33% since September 2022.

Market participants are watching closely to see if this stabilization will continue into next year or if volatility will return. For now, industry experts say that current conditions offer an unusual chance for buyers to secure key wines at attractive prices not seen in half a decade.