March 2015 was a record-breaking month for the Liv-ex Fine Wine Exchange. Traditionally a much quieter month with much of the trade gearing up for En Primeur, this year broke all the norms, with the number of live markets (wines with both a bid and offer against them) reaching a record high, the Exchange witnessing the most trade by value since March 2013 and all the major indices holding steady.
This unusually robust activity throughout March was particularly prevalent within the Champagne market – which took a record 9.6% of all trade, boosted by high activity for Salon 2002. Whilst the Bordeaux 500 held steady, gaining 0.07%, the Champagne 50 was the best performing sub-index, rising 0.6%.
As we move towards the Summer season, the days grow longer and the evenings warmer, buyers begin to turn their attention to Champagne. This was evident in March and as the above table shows, Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill was the biggest mover; the 2000 vintage in particular rose 9.4% and was the fifth best performing wine across all markets.
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2005 – the brand’s most recently released vintage and currently the most affordable – also climbed, as did recent vintages of Cristal and Cristal Rosé.
