Burgundy vintages drove wine auction sales in 2014

London

BURGUNDY'S share of wine-auction sales rose in 2014 as interest in Bordeaux vintages waned, with the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti estate driving demand, according to US houses Acker Merrall & Condit and Zachy's Wine Auctions Inc.

Burgundy led Bordeaux by 41 per cent to 32 per cent in market share at Acker, while at Zachy's Burgundy rose eight percentage points to 41 per cent of live sales as Bordeaux fell five points to 42 per cent, according to e-mailed statements. The shift, marking the first time that Acker has reported Burgundy dominating auctions, reflects buoyant demand for top- name producers in the area such as Rousseau, Leroy and Jayer as well as Romanee-Conti, and a three-year slide in Bordeaux prices as Chinese appetite for Medoc wines favoured by experts subsides.