Written by Master of Wine Charles Curtis, the series takes style into account while asking a fundamental question: what is collectible, and why?

Factors such as rarity, desirability, and the ability of a wine to appreciate in value over time are all taken into account.

The series begins with an explanation of the
parameters used to evaluate collectability:

A property producing highly collectible
wines. These will be sought after in
nearly every vintage, there will be a
ready market for the wines, and they
will appreciate sharply.

These properties produce wines that
qualify as investment grade in some
vintages but not in all. They are very
solid producers, but it is important
to be selective.

A property producing collectible wines.
The wines produced by these properties
are still investment grade quality, but
it is more important to pay attention
to the vintage in order to guarantee
top returns.

A property that produces a great success
from time to time. These for the most
part are not "investment grade", yet
without fail they are eminently delicious
wine that you can drink and enjoy often
on a reasonable budget.

In addition to the recommendations, other valuable information is provided, including detailed vintage charts outlining exceptional vintage years:

Bordeaux: Left Bank

2016, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2000, 1990, 1986,
1982, 1971, 1966, 1961, 1959, 1955, 1949,
1947, 1945, 1929, 1928, 1920, 1900

Bordeaux: Right Bank

2016, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2000, 1998, 1990,
1989, 1982, 1975, 1970, 1961, 1959, 1955,
1949, 1947, 1945, 1929, 1928, 1900

Bordeaux: Sweet White

2015, 2011, 2007, 2001, 1990, 1988, 1986,
1983, 1976, 1975, 1971, 1967, 1959, 1955, 1947,
1945, 1937, 1929, 1928, 1921

Burgundy Red

2015, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2002, 1999, 1993,
1991, 1990, 1985, 1978, 1964, 1962, 1959,
1949, 1947, 1945, 1929, 1923, 1911

Burgundy White

2014, 2010, 2008, 2002, 1996, 1992, 1990,
1986, 1985, 1979, 1971, 1969, 1962, 1955,
1953, 1952, 1934, 1929, 1919, 1906

Rhône

2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2001, 1998,
1991, 1990, 1985, 1983, 1978, 1971, 1969,
1961, 1959, 1952, 1949, 1945, 1929

Champagne

2012, 2008, 2002, 1996, 1990, 1988, 1985,
1979, 1973, 1969, 1966, 1964, 1959, 1955,
1949, 1947, 1945, 1928, 1911, 1906

Germany

2016, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2007, 2005, 2004,
2001, 1996, 1990, 1989, 1975, 1971, 1953,
1947, 1945, 1934, 1921, 1915, 1911

Piedmont

2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2001, 1996,
1990, 1989, 1982, 1978, 1971, 1964, 1961,
1958, 1947, 1934, 1931, 1929, 1927

Tuscany

2016, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006,
2004, 2001, 1999, 1997, 1990, 1988, 1985,
1982, 1978, 1971, 1967, 1964, 1958

Rioja

2016, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2005, 2004,
2001, 1994, 1991, 1989, 1987, 1982, 1981,
1970, 1968, 1964, 1958, 1955, 1952

Napa

2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2007, 2001,
1997, 1995, 1994, 1991, 1990, 1984, 1978,
1974, 1970, 1968, 1965, 1958, 1951

South Australia

2015, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2006, 2005, 2004,
2002, 2001, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1990, 1988,
1983, 1982, 1976, 1971, 1963, 1962

Port

2016, 2011, 2003, 1994, 1985, 1977, 1970,
1966, 1963, 1948, 1945, 1935, 1931, 1927,
1920, 1912, 1908, 1900, 1884, 1878

Madeira

1910, 1900, 1875, 1868, 1862, 1860, 1850,
1848, 1836, 1834, 1822, 1815, 1811, 1808,
1802, 1798, 1795, 1793, 1789, 1720

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Bordeaux

Burgundy

Champagne

France

Visit France, where we include a few recommendations from the first four instalments of our series.

Read about France

Piedmont

Veneto

Italy

Visit Italy, where we include a few recommendations from the first four instalments of our series.

Read about Italy