By
Maria Gouma
Corporate DirectorThe event was unique for many reasons, beginning with the fact that it was the highest-estimated wine auction in history. The three-day sale actually exceeded all expectations, with 2,704 lots, that’s 16,889 bottles of wines, reaching the astronomical sum of €.25,000.000! The wines came from the extensive cellars of the Tran-scend-ent Wines collection, belonging to a 5th generation real estate developer whose interest in wines led him to accrue over the years an unprecedented collection of some of the rarest labels in the world.
Mr. Yorgos Floudas, Owner of import company Trinity Wines, Greece and expert on the wine trade commented on the select range of vintages up for sale from producers in Burgundy, Champagne, Rhône, Bordeaux, and Italy: “Labels such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Coche-Dury, Domaine Leroy, Domaine Armand Rousseau, as well as Château Mouton Rothschild, Guigal and Château Rayas, including several Champagnes like Taittinger, Krug and Dom Pérignon, brought great interest from connoisseurs, and wine collectors. It is really the equivalent of finding the revered holy grail for collectors and wine aficionados!”
“Wine is a work of art and, apart from enjoyment, it is an excellent investment that can both stir emotions and bring high returns.”
Mr. Floudas also went on to add, “One of the important aspects of the auction is that it took place in Hong Kong, which confirms both the recent interest in luxury products such as works of art, rare watches, iconic fashion items, as well as the accumulation of wealth in Asia that can now support such events.” He continued that the unparalleled success of the auction “is indicative of the fact that wine is a work of art and, apart from enjoyment, it is an excellent investment that can both stir emotions and bring high returns.”
Sotheby’s has been selling wine since 1970 and its specialised department is made up of a team of extremely experienced professionals. According to Mr Floudas, “Only bottles in the best condition and of excellent provenance are put up for auction and the Sotheby’s seal of approval is a firm guarantee that collectors have come to rely on in terms of authenticity and quality.”
A selection of Sotheby’s Greece Properties for oenophiles:
Enjoy the grandeur of an 844 sq. m villa located in an exclusive location on the cosmopolitan island of Spetses. Reap the benefits of your own vineyards planted with Merlot, amongst other grape varieties, with a 1,200 bottle capacity wine cellar and even barrels for wine production.
A neo-classical style villa finished to the highest standards by its French architect/owner, the property also boasts a 25 sq. m underground cave that is just perfect as a wine cellar. Why not fill it up with a range of exceptional Greek wines!