What is En Primeur?
What is En Primeur?
What is En Primeur?
En Primeur, also known as "wine futures," is a significant aspect of France's wine industry. It enables customers to invest in vintages before they are bottled, ensuring access to limited releases and potential returns. Originally associated with Bordeaux, En Primeur has expanded to Burgundy, the Rhone Valley, Port, and some New World regions.
En Primeur originated after World War II, providing financial relief to struggling Chateaux by allowing merchants to purchase wines in advance and set their prices. Today, En Primeur sales are reserved for esteemed Chateaux, with approximately 200 prestigious labels available for purchase.
During En Primeur week, held in late April, industry professionals gather at Bordeaux's top Chateaux to taste young wines from the previous autumn. Merchants, journalists, and critics evaluate the young wines and provide opinions on the vintage, assigning score ranges to them. Chateaux then determine the prices and sell the wines in the following two months, even though the wine still needs to change hands physically.
Key advantages of buying En Primeur wine
En primeur allows you to secure some of the most sought-after wines before they are bottled and released. This ensures you can get your hands on highly desirable vintages, which are more challenging and expensive to purchase once on the open market.
Purchasing wines En Primeur can bring a price advantage over waiting to buy the bottles once they're released 2 years later.
As the supply of a specific vintage dwindles over time, its value may increase due to scarcity, allowing investors to potentially sell their En Primeur wines at a profit.
Buying En Primeur wines ensures the highest quality and authenticity, as they are purchased directly from the winery, ensuring optimal storage and handling conditions.