Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Study finds out that wine can lower rate of depression in women

A scientific study has shown that the risk of depression in women is lowered if they are moderate wine drinkers. 

Over 13,000 people in Spain were used in the study - known as the SUN project - over the course of ten years. University graduates without depression were used. The outcome was based on a doctor's diagnosis. 

The women had a much higher rate of depression than men, but for women drinking roughly one glass of wine a day, the risk of depression was far lower. 

Although no major differences were seen depending on type of drink consumed, the majority of the test subjects reported that they drank red wine. 



Thursday, December 13, 2012

Burgundy 2011 en primeur

Allen Meadows, the world's leading
 voice on Burgundy wines
In the past few months there has been a significant rise in interest in fine wine from Burgundy. So the 2011 en primeur Burgundies are bound to attract attention.

With Burgundies breaking records all over the world at auctions, 2013 may be the year that Bordeaux finds a regional rival to try to take the crown of being the most treasured French wine region.

Here at Capital Vintners we often offer the very best Burgundies, including Domaine de la Romanee-Conti (often referred to simply as DRC). Burgundies have in particular been performing exceptionally well at wine auctions in New York and Hong Kong.

We will be following this region's market performance closely in the next few months.







Wednesday, December 12, 2012

CAPITAL VINTNERS MARKET REPORT: Nigeria


Nigeria is now Africa’s second largest economy in Africa and will be the world’s fourth most populous nation by 2050. More importantly it has been reported that Nigeria’s wine industry will reach £230 million by 2015.

With an economy that is finding its feet – GDP has increased from $46 billion in 2000 to $247 billion in 2011 - and a growing middle class, Nigeria is one of the most exciting emerging markets in the world.

Nigeria is predicted to be the world’s second fastest-growing Champagne market between 2011 and 2016 (strong Champagne sales are generally a good economic factor for prosperity). With Europe struggling to make its way out of recessions, double-dip recessions and economic stagnation, the fine wine market must look to the economies that are going strong.

60 per cent of the Nigerian market is from European sales. With a soaring GDP, a wealthy middle class evolving, petroleum assets all over the country, and an obvious thirst for fine wine (in particular Champagne), Nigeria is sure to be a target for many savvy wine investment companies, including Capital Vintners, in the coming years. 

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Parker steps down as editor-in-chief of Wine Advocate


Robert Parker Jr – the world’s most renowned wine critic – has stepped down as editor-in-chief of the influential publication, the Wine Advocate.

A percentage of the magazine has been sold to three Asian investors (unnamed so far). The Wine Advocate headquarters will remain in America, but a large office will be set up in Singapore, a move which further adds to the current trend of an Asian booming market. With Hong Kong now the fine wine auction capital of the world and China and India increasing their imports every year, Parker is simply following the natural order.  

Parker said: "The Asian market has come of age in the last decade or so, and it would be unrealistic not to expect to be part of it."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW will take over from Parker as editor. She is Parker’s Singapore-based Asia correspondent, therefore a perfect fit to fill his shoes. The magazine will look to shift its focus over to the Asian market.  

The Wine Advocate now has over 50,000 subscribers. There will no longer be a print edition of the magazine; it will only be available in online form. With the introduction of an office in Singapore, this subscription rate is bound to increase in the coming years.

Parker will remain the Wine Advocate’s CEO and owner of the brand for the time being.

Specialising in fine Bordeaux wines, Parker has been the industry’s most respected critic for over thirty years. Parker has won countless awards across the globe for his knowledge and palate. His points system is ubiquitous in the fine wine market. 

CAPITAL VINTNERS: EYE ON ASIA

Rhône wines to be the next boom in Asia?

A Hong Kong auction at Sotheby’s last weekend may have signified a further string to the Asian fine wine market’s bow being added as Rhône Valley wines fared very well.

On December 8 the auction’s highlights included a 1961 Hermitage La Chapelle from Rhône, which sold for £13,700 a bottle, 165 per cent higher than the estimate. Jaboulet Ainé wines from the last 60 years raised £270,000.

It is clear that he Asian investment market is really branching out into areas other than traditional Bordeaux. As palates develop, so too do the portfolios. Asian buyers are looking for wines that stand out

This boost to sales in Rhône Valley wines in Asia is corroborated by the latest Liv-Ex Cellar Watch Market Report, which reported that these wines accounted for 2.2 per cent of all wine trades in November.  In 2010 their share was less than one per cent.

Rhône exports to China saw an increase of 140 per cent in volume in 2011. At Capital Vintners we have branched out into the finest Rhône Valley wines, including La Mouline, La Landonne and  La Turque.