TIPS ON HOW TO SELL RARE WINES AND SPIRITS IN AUCTIONS

Auction Hammer

Source: https://www.winemag.com/

BY MELANIE YOUNG

September 18, 2018

Whether you want to downsize a prized collection or can finally procure an elusive bottle, here are expert tips on how to do it.

Global wine auction sales are on the upswing, according to specialists. Jamie Ritchie, head of Sotheby's global wine program, projects $90 million in sales by year's end, which would top the existing record of $88 million in 2010.

Though nothing has topped the Jeroboam of 1945 Château Mouton Rothschild that sold for $310,700 in February 2007 at Sotheby's.

If time is of the essence and you're comfortable with settling on a firm price, a direct sale may be the best choice. However, with an auction, the sky is the limit.

Like any major transaction, it's wise to comparison shop. The reputation and success rate of an auction house is paramount, along with the size and reach of its customer base.

Many houses have minimums based on the value of the wine lot, which can be one item or an entire collection. Also, the lot's size and value can affect the seller's fee, which ranges from zero to 18%.

It's the auction house's responsibility to appraise the wine and set a price. Munro stresses that sellers should submit important documentation well in advance, especially those with large collections.

Most auctions take place between September and May.

Bordeaux and Burgundy are more in demand but scotch and Japanese whiskies are both growing.

One example is the current offerings slated for t e coming 13th Oct. 2018 auction at Sotheby's New York. A bottle of 1926 Macallan Scotch is priced at $700,000 to $1.2 million, a new lot estimate record for Sotheby's.

Join auction house mailing lists, and review past online sales and recent catalogs to compare what's selling.

Another consideration is the buyer's premium to the auction house, which can range from 19.5-24%.

2018 LA PART DES ANGES - COGNAC AUCTION

When
20 Sept.2018

Where
Hôtel Chais Monnet
50 avenue Paul Firino Martell
16100 Cognac

La Part des Anges, a biennial charity gala dinner, the initiative of the Cognac Interpro- fession (BNIC). At this dinner, collectors from around the world can bid for any number of very special Cognacs. 22 superb carafes and blends, generously donated by the cognac producers themselves, will be put up for auction with the proceeds going to charity. 15 of these cognacs also include a VIP experience for two in the heart of Cognac region, where visitors will explore the world of Cognac in all its facets: its terroir, its people, its crafts and its flavors. An amazing invitation to experience and share a world of emotion.

Since its creation in 2006, La Part des Anges auction of very spe- cial Cognacs has raised funds for 15 charities in the employment, education, heritage and social fields. French Chef, Thierry Marx, has kindly agreed to be the patron of the 2018 edition of La Part des Anges.

COGNAC BRANDS AUCTIONED AT THE 2018 EDITION
Bache-Gabrielsen	Hine
Château Montifaud	Jas Hennessy & Co
Cognac de Luze – Maison Boinaud	La Maison Larsen
Cognac François Voyer	Louis Royer
Cognac Frapin	Maison Bisquit, Dubouché et cie
Cognac Meukow	Maison Ferrand
Courvoisier	Martell
Delamain & Co	Merlet
Domaine Francis Abécassis	Normandin-Mercier
E. Rémy Martin & Co	Tiffon
Hardy	Union Générale des Viticulteurs Cognac

The 11th edition of La Part des Anges auction will be held in an exceptional venue: the hotel Les Chais Monnet. In this timeless luxury establishment in the heart of the Cognac region, visitors will enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience.

Sponsored by Artcurial & BNIC
Source: Artcurial.com

1805 COGNAC SELLS IN AUCTION FOR LOTS OF MONEY

[caption id="attachment_5762" align="aligncenter" width="399"]Massougnes Cognac from 1805[/caption]

Source: https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/

by Lucy Shaw

10th September, 2018 

A Napoleon era Cognac from 1805 has sold for over $260,000 at Hedonism Wines in Mayfair, making it one of the most expensive bottles of Cognac ever sold in the UK.

The bottle in question is a three-quarter gallon imperial of 1805 Cognac Massougnes and its sales price of over $260,000 makes it one of the highest value single Cognac sales in history.

The bottle was acquired by Hermitage Cognacs 20 years ago from Marie-Antoinette des Allées, Comtesse de la Bourdelière - a direct descendant of King Louis VII, whose family owns the former Cognac producing estate.

The imperial was snapped up at wine lover's delight, Hedonism in Mayfair, by an undisclosed buyer.

In 2016 a bottle of 1801 Cognac Massougnes acquired by Hermitage Cognacs was sold to an anonymous Asian buyer at Hedonism Wines for $300,000.

"In over 30 years of buying and selling Cognac, this 1805 is one of the oldest and rarest I have ever come across.

"Massougnes produced famous pre-phylloxera Cognacs and we have dated their records back to at least 1730, making them the oldest known growers and sellers of brandies," said Hermitage's managing director, David Baker.

"At its peak the property covered 346 hectares, and Marie-Antoinette, the last remaining descendant of this famous family, has written a charming note about the 'life' of this extraordinary Cognac, which was created the same year as the Battle of Trafalgar," he added.

Founded in 1987, Hermitage Cognacs specialises in the sale of old and rare Grande Champagne Cognacs from old family houses.

ONE OF THE WORLD'S OLDEST BOTTLE SOLD FOR $121,000

A bottle of Vin Jaune, meaning literally ‘yellow wine’ in French, has sold for a record price of over €100,000 to a Canadian buyer.

One of the oldest bottles of wine in the world was sold on Saturday, 26 May, at an auction in France, for €103,700 ($121,000).

The exceptional longevity of the yellow wine of Arbois comes from its particular mode of elaboration, which consists of raising the wines “under veil”; that is to say, with a form of oxidation which transcends perfumes and limits ageing.

The wines have been lovingly cared for by eight generations of heirs of Pierre Vercel (1694-1754), whose family is known to have made wine in Arbois since the 14th century and whose Grand Commander has maintained the tradition. He had remained discreet about the number of bottles he had carefully preserved, and their location.

Source: Vinexpo-Newsroom

MORE ONLINE AUCTIONS FOR WHISKIES

 

Whisky Auctions Logo Icon

Whisky auctions are facsinating as you can see so much dynamism and enthusiasm, with growing demand for the US and Asia.

Any question as to whether the recent increases in the rare whisky market would begin to plateau can be dismissed.

The Spirits Business reports:

"...Collectors bought 21,617 bottles of Scotch malt whisky at UK auctions in April, May and June this year, compared to 12,638 in the same period in 2016 – an increase of 71%...

...In total, $8.10m was spent on rare whisky at auction compared to $3.67m in the same period in 2016 – an increase of 121%.

...The growing popularity of online auctions, combined with recent moves by traditional rare whisky retailers to set up their own auction sites, continues to drive demand. By joining the secondary market sector, these ‘bricks n mortar’ retailers have finally realised that they can’t afford to lose rare whisky customers to the auction market..."

Source: The Spirits Business

EXQUISITE COGNACS SUCH AS COMANDON OR BISQUIT, AND VINTAGE COGNACS LIKE FROM 1822 WILL BE AUCTIONED IN PARIS NEXT WEEK

Maître Christophe MOREL from Sarl Christophe MOREL will auction a list of most sought after wine and spirits next week in Paris (Tuesday, December 10 2013 at 2:00 PM in Drouot Richelieu).

This public auction will include a list of rare wines but also an exquisite selection of rare cognacs including: Cognac Comandon Trois Etoiles from the 50s, Cognac Grande Champagne Héritiers Marquis de Lep from the 19th century, Cognac Bisquit Dubouche Trois Etoiles from the 50s, Cognac Grande Fine champagne Grande réserve CAVO from 1822, with the Coats of Arms of Rothschild (avec les armoiries des Rothschild à 4 branches sur l'étiquette), etc.

Sarl Christophe MOREL Auction at Drouot Richelieu 2013

This auction will include very desirable wines such as: Mouton Rothschild 1959 Pauillac, Château Talbot 1961 Saint Julien, Château Latour 1929 Pauillac 1st Grand Cru, Château Cheval Blanc 1967 St Emilion 1st Grand Cru, Château Beau Site 1964 Saint Estèphe, Château La Fleur 1966 Pomerol, Mouton Rothschild 1955 Pauillac, Château Mauras 1970 Sauternes, Château d'Yquem 1901 Sauternes, Mouton Rothschild 1947 Pauillac Magnum, Château Cheval Blanc 1964 Saint Emilion 1st Grand Cru, Château Marquis de St Estephe 1971, etc.

Sarl Christophe MOREL Auction at Drouot Richelieu 2013

SALE VENUE: 

• DROUOT RICHELIEU
  9 rue Drouot
  75009 Paris

EXHIBITIONS :

• Monday, December 9 2013 from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM : Drouot Richelieu, salle 8.

Sources: Interencheres for Maître Christophe MOREL from Sarl Christophe MOREL

NO RATATOUILLLE FROM LA TOUR D'ARGENT THIS TIME BUT SOME PRE-REVOLUTIONARY COGNACS FOR AUCTION

Christie's London will be auctioning next month (December 13th and 14th 2012) a collection of antique and vintage cognacs from the famous Parisian restaurant "La Tour d'Argent" founded in 1582. La Tour d'Argent the restaurant was the inspiration for Pixar’s animated 2007 movie Ratatouille.

This is the second time in recent years that the Tour D'Argent auctions some of its rarer and older fine wines and spirits. In 2009, the restaurant sold 18,000 bottles for more than 2.5m usd in order to finance the purchase of newer vintages.

What's the deal!?

Are they worried of running out? No, with a cellars including more than 400,000 items to choose, that is 14,000 different types of products no point in being worried.

Are they hurting and looking for cash?  No, it is just common sense: people are not ordering these "collectors' items" and this auction will allow the restaurant to renew its stock with more contemporary products. Some stocks will again be auctioned in 200 years, and here it goes from one generation to the other etc...

Some of the products that will be auctioned date back from the stock transfer which was made by the owner's daughter of Café Anglais, Augusta Burdel, after she married the owner of La Tour d'Argent, André Terrail, i.e., the grandfather of the current owner. The Café Anglais was demolished in 1913.

One hundred and eighty lots of ancient Cognacs but also Armagnacs, rum, calvados, Port and marc, all from the cellars of the Parisian restaurant La Tour d’Argent, with an expected value of 300,000 usd total sales.

The oldest bottle of all is the prized, pre-Revolutionary, Vieux Cognac Grande Champagne ‘Clos de Griffier’ Café Anglais 1788, with an estimate of 5,000 usd  (no way!!!).

‘Clos de Griffier’ 1788 [Christie's Image Ltd 2012]

Other remarkable cognac include two jeroboams (2.5L) Fine Champagne Cognac ‘La Tour d’Argent’ 1805. This extremely rare format was bottled on site more than 200 years ago. Both items will be sold in their original hand-blown glass bottles with an estimate of 20,000 usd.

1805 Jeroboam Fine Champagne (c) Luxuo Luxury Blog

Last 1738 Clos de Griffier which was auctioned by Christie's was bought as a charity lot by the Playboy Club in London for 78,000 usd one year ago, and it was accidentally broken by a client last June while they were making him by a 8800 USD cocktail.

In 2009, there was another auction for the exact same cognac but from 1788 which sold for 37,000 usd, from a stock of La Tour d'Argent restaurant again. I wonder how many they have of these!!

Two days ago, Tuesday 13th November 2012, Christie's in Geneva auctioned another bottle of Cognac from 1789, Saulnier Freres (Saint-Amant de Graves) also a Fine Champagne which sold for 31,650 usd.

Saulnier Freres Cognac Fine Champagne (c) Christie's 2012

The question is how much this next bottle of pre-revolutionary cognac will go for in London this December? My guess = 42,000 usd, let's see ...

Source: Decanter and Luxuo and SUD OUEST

Source: Christie's Image Ltd 2012