Investing in champagne can be a unique and potentially lucrative investment strategy for those with a taste for luxury items. The value of champagne can appreciate over time due to factors such as scarcity, vintage, and prestige. So how to spot the best champagne to invest in? Here are a few things to consider when investing in champagne:
- Rarity: Champagne produced in limited quantities or from rare grape varieties can be worth more than mass-produced champagne. Vintage champagne, which is made from grapes harvested in a specific year, can also be worth more than non-vintage champagne.
- Prestige: Champagne from well-known and respected producers can have a higher value than lesser-known brands. Prestigious champagne houses such as Dom Perignon, Krug, and Louis Roederer can command high prices due to their reputation.
- Storage: Proper storage is essential for champagne to maintain its value. Champagne should be stored in a cool, dark place with a consistent temperature and humidity level. A wine cellar or specialized wine storage unit is recommended.
- Age: Champagne can improve with age, but not all champagne is meant to be aged. Vintage champagne can be aged for several decades, but non-vintage champagne should be consumed within a few years of purchase.
- Condition: The condition of the champagne bottle is crucial when investing in champagne. A bottle with a damaged or worn label, a missing cork, or visible sediment can reduce its value.
Before investing in champagne, it is important to do your research and consult with a financial advisor to determine if this investment strategy is right for you. It is also important to note that investing in luxury items like champagne can come with risks, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
1. Dom Perignon P3 Plenitude
Dom Perignon P3 Plenitude is a type of champagne produced by the Champagne house Moët & Chandon. The P3 stands for “Plenitude 3,” which refers to the third and final plenitude of aging that the wine undergoes.
After the initial fermentation and aging, the champagne is aged on its lees (the dead yeast cells) for an extended period, typically around seven years. After this first plenitude, the champagne is disgorged (the lees are removed), and the wine is bottled with a cork and a cage to undergo a second fermentation in the bottle.
The second plenitude of aging takes place while the wine is aging in the bottle, with the wine being left on its lees for an additional period. Finally, after at least 20 years of aging, the wine undergoes a third and final plenitude, which is when it is released as Dom Perignon P3 Plenitude.
The extended aging process of Dom Perignon P3 Plenitude is said to give the wine a unique taste and complexity, making it a sought-after champagne among collectors and connoisseurs. Probably the best champagne to invest in!
2. Krug Clos d’Ambonnay
Krug Clos d’Ambonnay is a rare and highly regarded champagne produced by the Krug champagne house. It is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes grown in a small walled vineyard known as Clos d’Ambonnay, located in the village of Ambonnay in the Champagne region of France.
Clos d’Ambonnay is a single vineyard that covers only 0.68 hectares (1.7 acres), and its grapes are carefully selected and harvested by hand. The wine is then aged in oak barrels for several years before being bottled and aged for an additional period.
Krug Clos d’Ambonnay is considered to be one of the rarest and most expensive champagnes in the world due to its limited production and the high quality of its grapes. It is known for its rich and complex flavor profile, which includes notes of red fruits, brioche, and honey.
The champagne is often sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and its value can appreciate significantly over time. It is typically released in very small quantities and is sold primarily to high-end restaurants and wine merchants.
3. Louis Roederer Cristal
Louis Roederer Cristal is a high-end champagne produced by the Louis Roederer champagne house. It was created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II of Russia, who requested a special champagne to be made for his personal use. The champagne was named Cristal after the clear crystal bottle in which it was served.
Today, Louis Roederer Cristal is made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes from the best vineyards in the Champagne region of France. The wine is aged for at least six years in the cellar, allowing it to develop its complex and unique flavor profile.
Louis Roederer Cristal is known for its exceptional quality and is often considered a luxury item. It has a reputation for being one of the finest champagnes in the world, with a rich and complex flavor profile that includes notes of citrus, honey, and white flowers. The champagne is sold in a distinctive clear crystal bottle with a flat bottom and is often served at high-end events and gatherings.
Louis Roederer Cristal is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and its value can appreciate significantly over time. It is often released in limited quantities, making it a rare and exclusive champagne. The best champagne to invest in? Probably!
4. Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil
Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil is a high-end champagne produced by the champagne house Salon. It is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes grown in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in the Champagne region of France.
Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil is known for its exceptional quality and is often considered one of the finest champagnes in the world. The champagne is aged for at least 10 years in the cellar, allowing it to develop its complex and unique flavor profile.
The champagne is characterized by its delicate bubbles, creamy texture, and rich flavor profile, which includes notes of lemon, apple, and hazelnut. It is known for its elegance and finesse and is often served at high-end events and gatherings.
Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and its value can appreciate significantly over time. It is often released in limited quantities, making it a rare and exclusive champagne. A great brand to find the best champagne to invest in!
5. Taittinger Comtes de Champagne
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes grown in the best vineyards of the Champagne region. The champagne is aged for at least five years in the cellar, allowing it to develop its complex and unique flavor profile.
The champagne is characterized by its delicate bubbles, crisp acidity, and rich flavor profile, which includes notes of white flowers, citrus, and honey. It is known for its elegance and finesse and is often served at high-end events and gatherings.
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts, and its value can appreciate significantly over time. It is often released in limited quantities, making it a rare and exclusive champagne. The champagne is considered one of the best Blanc de Blancs champagnes in the world and has received numerous accolades and awards from wine critics and experts.
Good luck in your quest to find the best champagne to invest in!
n.b: this is not financial advice