Sotheby’s publishes ranking of best global wine producers

KOLKATA: Based on a recent Sotheby’s report, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti has topped the inaugural Sotheby’s Wine Ranking 2013. The top ten list details the bestselling wine producers over the past year at both auction and retail as well as breaking out the top-selling wine makers according to their region. Overall, Sotheby’s sold $57.9 million of wine at auction in 2013, $19.8 million (34 per cent) of which was in single-owner sales. The top lot of the year was the $167,508 achieved for a case of Château Latour à Pomerol 1961 at auction in London closely followed by the $165,000 Opus One Vertical sold at retail in New York.

As a major fine wine seller with a presence in the US, Asia, and Europe, Sotheby’s sales figures offer a reliable barometer of the world’s most sought after wines. By publishing data on auction participants The Ranking creates a high-level snapshot of global wine demand.

Jamie Ritchie, CEO & president Americas and Asia Sotheby's Wine commented in an email statement: "The story of the 2013 Sotheby’s Ranking is the dominance of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Despite very limited production, strong demand led to high prices, making DRC our biggest seller globally in 2013 with sales of $7.2 million. Bordeaux was also heavily in demand making up 60 per cent of auction sales, Champagne led retail sales, and the $165,000 Opus One Vertical was only narrowly beaten to the top of our list of highest prices."