Best Champagne to Buy for Investment | Investing Guide

Champagne stands out as the most renowned wine region globally. It is known for producing top sparkling wines. The region is also famous thanks to the well-known Champagne houses. These houses’ luxury brands are recognized globally.

It’s spread over 30,000 hectares from Charly to Reims and Epernay. This regoin has one unique appellation. The finest vineyards are found on chalky hills. The climate here can be harsh, which leads to varied yearly outputs. This is why most Champagnes are blends from different years and areas.

For elite Champagnes, only the best grapes of the year are used. These Champagnes are a prime choice for those looking to invest. A very few Champagnes are seen as top-tier for their consistent high-quality and value over time. Rare and older Champagnes of prestigious brands can offer great returns to investors.

Key Takeaways

• Champagne is the most famous wine growing region in the world, known for its quality sparkling wines and prestigious luxury brands.
• Vintage Champagnes made exclusively from a single year’s grapes offer the best investment potential due to their rarity and quality.
• Prestigious Champagne houses and grower champagnes with limited production are considered investment-grade for their stable price growth and value appreciation.
• Champagne’s aging potential, with bottles able to last 15-20 years, makes it an attractive fine wine investment option.
• The Champagne growing region’s unique terroir and climate contribute to the region’s investment appeal.

The Prestigious World of Champagne

Champagne is world-renowned for its sparkling wines. The region is famed for its iconic Champagne houses. They have created ‘luxury’ brands known worldwide. The area stretches over 30,000 hectares, encompassing Charly to Epernay. Located in France, it stands out for its unique chalky hills.

The region faces harsh winters at times, affecting the champagne quality. This is why most Champagnes blend different vintages. This helps ensure a consistent taste year after year.

Grading of Vineyards

Vineyards receive a quality grading up to 100. Premier Cru scores range from 90% to 98%, and Grand Cru from 98% to 100%. This system showcases the top champagne houses. It shows their ability to invest in the best vineyards. They aim to create luxury collections of vintage champagnes.

Investment Potential of Champagne

Champagne is unique. It embodies joy, celebrates, and stands for luxury. Its bubbles light up any event and also, can be a wise fine wine investment. Investing in Champagne, as in fine wine, adds variety to your portfolio. It offers stable, long-term returns.

Rarity and Scarcity

The ability of fine wine to age significantly impacts its value. There’s a myth that Champagne doesn’t age. This is incorrect. Champagne, due to its acidity, and carbon dioxide, ages gracefully.

Unlike still white wines, Champagne matures slowly, losing its bubbles over time. In the right conditions, a good bottle of Champagne can improve for 15 to 20 years.

Aging Potential

Champagnes made with grapes from exceptional years are ideal for champagne investment. These top Champagnes are a rarity, known for quality. They offer a consistent, upward price trend, making them valued investments.

Vintage Quality Variations

Store a good bottle of Champagne properly, and it can age well for 15 to 20 years. The finest Champagnes, produced from a single year’s grapes, hold special value for investors. This quality and aging potential make them prized for investment.

Factors Influencing Champagne Investment Value

In the world of fine wine, rarity drives up the value. Wines worth investing in are limited and in high demand. This makes their prices rise when fewer bottles are left. The same goes for Champagne. Even though Champagne makes more wine than others, demand is huge and keeps growing.

Vintage Year

Focus on “vintage” Champagne for the best investment results. These are the top-quality bubbles made from grapes in a single, perfect year. They come from the finest vineyards and in limited numbers. Choosing these can lead to bigger gains over time.

Critic Scores and Celebrity Endorsement

What critics say and who supports a brand affects its value. In Champagne, famous ratings don’t push prices much. But, when stars like Jay-Z or icons like Churchill back a brand, its value can soar. Their choices make these Champagnes more famous and desired.

Bottle Size

The size of a Champagne bottle can impact its value too. Bigger bottles often cost more than the standard ones at first. This price difference grows over time, especially for rare, large bottles. Additionally, bigger bottles can age the Champagne better, adding to their appeal.

Rising Demand and Market Trends

In the last 20 years, grower champagne has captured the hearts of sommeliers, trendy wine bars, and top restaurants worldwide. Even the biggest Champagne fans can’t resist it. These small producers aim for excellent quality and unique character. Their efforts often outshine the more famous but mass-produced options.

Despite their high costs, growers like Egly-Ouriet and Jacques Selosse have found success. Their champagnes have become a status symbol, favored over the big brands. In response, the larger Champagne houses have started to change. They’re focusing more on eco-friendly farming, new wine-making methods, and creating special blends. These changes in the market have helped raise the standards of Champagne overall.

According to the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), 2021 set a sales record. Champagne reached a sales value of 5.5 billion euros, selling 321.8 million bottles. This was a 31.8% jump from the previous year. It was also the second-best year in the last ten years. This boost in sales came from both inside and outside of France.

Right before Christmas, French wine sellers faced a Champagne shortage. This was due to a higher demand from international buyers. Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan remained top buyers. Yet, new markets are showing more interest. This is expanding Champagne’s popularity worldwide.

Best Champagne to Buy for Investment

Champagne is a must-have for any fine wine collection aiming for both prestige and profit. It has consistently shown great returns, beating out other luxury items. Here are five top Champagne houses that offer great investment opportunities:

Salon le Mesnil

Champagne Salon tells a unique story. It’s the only wine of its kind, made from the best Chardonnay grapes in Côte de Blancs. The village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru is its source. Since 1911, when Eugène-Aimé Salon founded it, this champagne has stood out. The 2002 le Mesnil vintage, for example, won high praise and perfect scores from top critics.

Louis Roederer Cristal

Louis Roederer is family-owned and has a standout champagne, Cristal. This champagne offers a unique blend of flavors and aromas. Over the past few years, its value has notably increased. For example, the 2009 Cristal increased by 43% from 2017 to 2021.

Dom Pérignon P1 & P2

Dom Pérignon, credited with inventing Champagne, is now part of the LVMH group. Their P2 and P3 champagnes are especially renowned. These champagnes from this luxury brand are great for investment.

Krug Clos d’Ambonnay

Krug, another LVMH group brand, is famed for its high-quality Champagnes. Among its collection, Clos d’Ambonnay truly stands out. Made from Pinot Noir grapes from Grand Cru Ambonnay, it’s seen as the pinnacle of single-vineyard Champagnes.

Boërl & Kroff

Boërl & Kroff shouldn’t be missed by those looking into Champagne investing. Despite being lesser-known, it has earned a place among the top Champagne houses.

Champagne Investment Credentials

Champagne is not just a drink, but a smart fine wine investment. It has delighted wine investors with high returns. This is due to its prestige, rarity, and its ability to age well. These factors make Champagne an investment of great value.

Champagne matures well because of its acidity and carbon dioxide. It changes slower than still white wines. Over time, it turns into a still white from a bubbly one. A properly kept bottle can last 15 to 20 years. This makes it a top choice for fine wine business investors.

Scarcity is at the heart of great investment wines. They are produced in limited amounts. As people start to open these rare bottles, their availability drops. This rising demand against a dwindling supply increases the wine’s worth. The same applies to Champagne. Even though more Champagne is made than other premium wines, its demand keeps growing worldwide. This positions it as a strong choice in the investment market.

Performance Overview and Market Outlook

In 2021, despite the pandemic, champagne investments and fine wines shined. The Champagne 50 index reached a new peak, rising 40% by the end of the year. It jumped 8.1% in November and another 5.8% in December. Bottles from top Champagnes like Salon and Dom Pérignon 2005 Rosé led this surge.

The fine wine world is changing. Champagne is gaining ground against the usual red wines. The Liv-ex index shows Champagne’s rise, climbing 62.45% in the past five years. This is second only to Burgundy. Despite some recent price drops, the market is still looking good for buyers.

Champagne dominated in 2021 as the best-performing sector. The Champagne 50 was up by 40% overall, hitting a new high. This success was mainly due to high demand and increased value of famous Champagne brands.

best champagne to buy for investment

Our 2023 Champagne Investment Report shows why we think it’s a great time to buy. It highlights top picks like Salon le Mesnil and Louis Roederer Cristal. These prestigious Champagne houses offer rare, high-quality bottles. They have the best scores from critics and celebrities.

For the best investment, look for “vintage” champagne or the top “prestige cuvee”. These are made from grapes picked in the best conditions or from the top vineyards. Because they’re made in limited amounts, they can bring in bigger gains over time.

Salon le Mesnil and Louis Roederer Cristal are great investments. They’re rare and have top scores, making them smart choices. Focus on these or similar high-quality champagnes for the best investment results.

Investment Strategies and Approaches

Now is a great time to buy Champagne. The market is very friendly for buyers. Some high-end vintage Champagnes have dropped in price. But, the basics are right for their value to go up in the long run.

Our 2023 Champagne Investment Guide shows why this slowdown is a chance that you shouldn’t miss. We will also share our lists of great Champagnes from top brands and special growers.

Champagne checks all the boxes for a top fine wine investment. It has brought joy to investors with large returns recently. The main things that make Champagne valuable for investing are its prestige, rarity, and how well it can age.

We suggest focusing on “vintage” Champagne or the best “prestige cuvee”. These are made in fewer numbers and can give you a larger profit over time.

Following these main points, you can make a strong wine portfolio with the best Champagnes. This will prepare you for growth and big returns in the future.

Conclusion

Champagne stands out as a top wine region globally. It’s known for its outstanding sparkling wines. The iconic Champagne houses have also made its name bright.

For people thinking about fine wine investment, Champagne is a smart choice. It has everything that leads to good returns, like fame, rarity, and the ability to get better with age. There’s a chance now to buy some rare Champagnes at lower prices.

But, the long-term future looks promising. This is because more people want Champagne, and the quality is getting even better. So, even though prices might go up again, investing now could pay off in the future.

When investing, it’s best to choose Champagnes that are very famous and not so easy to find. For example, Salon le Mesnil and Louis Roederer Cristal are great choices. So are Dom Pérignon, Krug Clos d’Ambonnay, and Boërl & Kroff. These are some of the best champagne to buy for investment. They are not only rare but also have the potential to become even better with time. They have been highly praised by wine experts and celebrities too.

The Champagne market has stayed strong, even when other wine markets haven’t done so well. For the past five years, the Liv-ex Champagne 50 index has shown better results than many other wine areas. This tells us that choosing the right Champagnes from the right years can lead to good returns. It also helps in expanding a collection of luxury wines.