Wine, whisky and spirits market - 2013 auction review

The Bordeaux market remained on life support in 2013 - still reeling from the crash of 2011, resulting in a drop of 0.9% during the first 11 months of the year, according to the Liv-ex index.

The top Burgundies fared better (DRC was up 6.9% to end of November), with Chinese bidders contributing significantly - Hong Kong saw a new world record set for a case of wine, by the 1978 Romanee-Conti.

Single malt Scotch whisky also fared well, with values for leading bottles up 39.5% pa since 2010 as the export market continued to grew.

Top wine, whisky and spirits sale of 2013

The DRC vineyard produces some of the finest Burgundy

A case of DRC's 1978 Romanee-Conti achieved $477,000 in November - setting a new world record for a case of wine at auction. The lot was the latest in a series of strong sales for DRC this year. It achieved a 234% increase on a $142,598 estimate.

2013's important wine, whisky and spirits sales

The slave rum was discovered in a basement in Leeds, UK

Six bottles of 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc realised $84,000 in January.
A vertical lot of Chateau Mouton Rothschild auctioned for $74,000 in January.
A case of 1982 Chateau Petrus sold for $61,500 in September.
October saw the sale of a collection of eight DRC vintages from 1993-2000 for $302,869.
A barrel of 2013 Mersault-Genevrieres Premier Cru sold for $175,000 in November.
The oldest rum ever sold, produced by slaves in Barbados in 1780, made $135,476 in December - up 594% on estimate.

It was a breakout year for…

Super Tuscans continued to progress. They now hold a 3.3% market share - up 0.9% from 2010. The Liv-ex index reported that values have also risen by 18.6% in 2013.

It was a year to forget for…