What Makes a Wine or Spirit Truly Collectable, and How to Spot Future Classics

The world of collectible wines and spirits offers more than luxury sips; it presents an increasingly sophisticated alternative investment class. Although global demand does fluctuate, influenced by market trends and world economic shifts, supply is naturally limited by vintage variations and production constraints. Therefore, identifying elements that make a wine or spirt collectable, and finding future classics early, can yield significant long-term returns. But how can investors separate lasting value from fleeting hype?

What ultimately makes a wine or spirit collectible is high quality, limited availability, and the ability to improve or hold for a long time.

Simply, if many people want to drink or own something that is well-regarded, difficult to obtain, and has the potential to provide enjoyment for an extended period, they’ll pay for the opportunity.

The Classics

A tried-and-true way to grow your investment is to collect high-end producers with a track record of excellence (e.g. Burgundy's Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Tuscany’s Masseto, Scotland's Macallan, or Bourbon’s Old Rip Van Winkle). Producers with historical significance, or heritage brands that have maintained consistency for decades or longer, offer a low-risk opportunity.

DRC Bottles from wine-searcher.com

Yes, one needs to monitor trade structures and auction trends to be alerted to potential softenings, but classic producers at the top of their game are likely to stay there. The downside? These are already very pricy, so growth potential may be limited. To discover a future classic, look for collaborations, or visionary winemakers and distillers with rising reputations. In many cases, boutique producers with cult followings often become tomorrow’s blue chips, so we diligently monitor market offerings and producer projects.

Limited Production

Another (perhaps similarly obvious) option is to invest in limited production wines and spirits. Also, those with extended aging potential. Simply, scarcity drives value, and low initial availability plus critical acclaim equals high investment potential, especially over the long haul.

Market research shows that single-vineyard wines, small-batch spirits, and special releases (like cask-strength or anniversary editions) often appreciate the fastest. The downside here is that highly-allocated wines may be difficult to penetrate; Napa cult producer Screaming Eagle long ago closed their allocation list — and their wait list as well. Cult producers like Saxum and Sine Qua Non may require a decade of patience to move from the wait list to the mailing list. And investors need to remember that once there, repeated purchases are required to remain on the list.

Regardless, a savvy investor should consider allocations with strict quotas; managing to secure a place on the list of a hard to obtain producer will be an opportunity to attract future demand. We regularly act as “concierge” for clients wishing to join exclusive lists.

Critical Acclaim

While Robert Parker’s immense influence on the popularity (and prices) of wine has ebbed with his retirement (and possibly weariness of depending on critics’ influence,) the fact remains that critical acclaim and awards still have a strong effect on collectibility and appreciation. Wines scored 95+ by authorities lie the Wine Spectator, Jancis Robinson, and the Wine Advocate, as well as spirits that win double gold at competitions like the International Wine & Spirit Competition, often appreciate over their lifetimes as they age and become more rare. One of our proprietary databases tracks scores and medals, which is also helpful in monitoring producers that have lost consistency.

What's Around the Corner

Savvy investors can also track new regions or categories gaining traction, like top shelf English sparkling wine and fine wines from China. Availability to market and universal awareness may be impediments for large-scale investment growth, however, in the spirits sector, this sub-category is more familiar. For example, premium mezcals are booming, Taiwanese whisky and craft Japanese rum are gaining credibility, so investment in these products can have strong returns. We work to spot new options before they become mainstream to give our clients opportunities for early entry at lower prices.

Clase Azul Mezcals, from The Single Malt Shop

How We Can Help

As with many commodities, it is important to monitor market signals and secondary market trends. Edgerton Wine and Spirit Appraisals arose from Bill’s creation of the “Wine Price File” in the late 1970s as the very first compilation of wine auction prices. We currently monitor major international wine and spirits auctions, and indices like Liv-Ex and Wine Market Journal as well as our own proprietary database of historic and current spirits sales prices, to track movement and growth potential. This helps us target wines and spirits showing steady growth in resale value, which signals genuine demand, not hype.

Spotting future classics in wines and spirits is part art, part analytics.

It requires a pulse on both industry trends and timeless fundamentals—quality, scarcity, critical acclaim, and cultural relevance. We help investors by doing the research (and trusting our palates), knowing that the next iconic bottle could already be aging quietly in a cellar or cask.

Reach out with a query or for a consultation today, and bon santé.