Factors making a wine collectible.

The three Ps:

  • Production volumes – There are finite supplies of wines from the top estates from particular years, and this ‘rarity’ value can increase as a vintage ages.
  • Producer reputation – Wines from producers with the best reputations tend to be the most desirable,
  • Provenance – Even the best wine in the world will lose its appeal if the case has been opened, or if it has been stored under the stairs for 20 years instead of, say, in the producer’s own cellar.

In addition to the above, the following factors also have a major part to play in how desirable a wine may be to collectors:

  • Appellation – Think Musigny rather than Mâcon.
  • Vintage – The best rated vintages will command a big premium.
  • Limited edition – An extension of vintage and appellation.

Source: James Button (decanter.com)